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Release of Palestinian Prisoners Marks Ceasefire Development
In a momentous event on Sunday night, a white bus transporting dozens of Palestinian prisoners arrived at Fawakeh square in Ramallah, signaling a significant exchange between Israel and Hamas. This transfer was part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the ongoing conflict that has persisted for 15 months. The prisoners were released in exchange for three Israeli hostages handed over by Hamas to Israel.
Upon arrival, groups of young men celebrated as they climbed onto the bus, waving Palestinian and Hamas flags. The individuals disembarking were primarily women and minors, many of whom had been detained since October 7, 2023.
Many released prisoners recounted their arrests, often stating they had been detained for seemingly innocuous actions such as posting on social media or participating in protests regarding the civilian casualties in Gaza.
Latifa Misha’sha, a 34-year-old woman among the 90 prisoners released, expressed deep emotional relief as she embraced her brother, Basil. Overwhelmed with tears, she silently held him for several minutes before speaking. “She was so skinny,” Basil remarked, noting that his sister had lost more than 6 kilograms during her 20 months in captivity. Latifa was arrested in November 2023 for sharing an Instagram post in support of Gaza, leading to her charge of incitement.
This release is just the beginning of a larger plan: hundreds of Palestinian prisoners are set to be freed under the first phase of the ceasefire, which promises the return of 33 hostages, including children, women, and elderly men, in exchange for a significant number of Palestinian detainees.
According to announcements from the Israeli government, there are plans to release a list of 734 prisoners from the West Bank, along with another estimated 1,000 individuals from Gaza who have been classified as “unlawful combatants” without formal charges or trials. Moreover, about 230 prisoners serving life sentences for their involvement in lethal attacks against Israelis are expected to be permanently exiled, with reports suggesting destinations like Turkey, Qatar, or Algeria.
Additional reports indicate that many remaining prisoners were detained for lesser offenses or are being held under administrative detention, which permits the government to detain individuals based on withheld evidence. As of January 2025, the Israeli NGO HaMoked reported that there were 10,221 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, with 3,376 held under administrative detention and 1,886 categorized as unlawful combatants. The Israel Defense Forces and the Israeli government assert that these measures adhere to international legal standards.
Imprisonment remains a contentious aspect of the longstanding Israeli occupation, with reports suggesting that nearly 40% of Palestinian men will face arrest at some point in their lives.
Following the October 7 assault, the Israeli government implemented stringent measures against social media activity perceived as inflammatory, adopting a so-called “zero tolerance policy” towards expressions of support for Hamas. This led to a wave of arrests, with numerous individuals charged with incitement and allegations of terrorism.
Notably, Dalal Abu Amneh, a prominent singer and social media influencer from Nazareth, was among those arrested. She endured two days in custody after being accused of “disruptive behaviour” due to social media posts that were claimed to incite violence. A particularly controversial post featured the Palestinian flag accompanied by the phrase, “There is no victor but God.”
Another detainee, Shatha Jarabaa, 24, shared her experience of being arrested for a social media post that criticized Israeli military actions. She reported significant weight loss during her time in custody—14 kg—attributed to the harsh conditions she encountered. “The treatment in prison was so bad,” Jarabaa stated, reflecting on her experiences of extreme cold and inadequate clothing during her confinement.
On the day of her release, she met her father, Nawaf Jarabaa, who expressed mixed feelings about the event. “I’m happy, but not too happy … my daughter was arrested simply for expressing her ideas,” he explained, mentioning that two of his other children were not part of the exchange agreement.
Several other former prisoners recounted claims of mistreatment and torture during their detention, highlighting a concerning pattern that has emerged following the escalation of hostilities since October. These accounts align with findings from rights organizations such as B’Tselem, indicating that maltreatment and abuse have become normalized within the Israeli prison system.
Ahmed Walid Mohammed Khashan, an 18-year-old released prisoner, described his ordeal and the aggressions he encountered while imprisoned. Charged with serious allegations including “shooting at people,” he claimed that detainees were subjected to torture and degrading treatment.
In response to claims of mistreatment, the Israeli Prison Service maintained that its operations conform to legal standards. It stated that all prisoners have the right to file grievances, which are to be reviewed by designated authorities.
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