CAIRO: Hamas freed three Israeli and five Thai prisoners in Gaza on Thursday and Israel began releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners after delaying the process in anger at the swarming crowds at one of the prisoner handover points.

Arbel Yehoud, 29, abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz in the Hamas-led assault on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, looked fearful and struggled to walk through the crowd as armed fighter handed her to the Red Cross in a tense scene in the southern city of Khan Younis. Another Israeli hostage, Gadi Moses, 80, was also released along with five Thai nationals working on Israeli farms near Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the sight of their chaotic handover was shocking and threatened death to anyone hurting prisoners. He and Defence Minister Israel Katz said they had ordered a delay in the releases of the prisoners “until the safe exit of our hostages in the next phases is assured”. The prime minister’s office said later that mediators had committed to ensuring the safe passage of prisoners in future handovers.

Meanwhile, from the Israeli side, buses arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah carrying some of the 110 Palestinian prisoners to be freed as part of the phased agreement. Women in traditional full Palestinian dresses ululated as buses carrying freed detainees arrived in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory, while men chanted “we sacrifice our souls and blood for you.”

Zakaria Zubaidi, one of the leaders of Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Fatah group, was the most prominent Palestinian prisoner to be freed. He escaped from prison in 2021 with three other inmates but was then captured. Zubaidi has always been known as the strongman of the West Bank city of Jenin, a hotbed of Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation and site of frequent Israeli army raids, including a major operation just a week ago.

Clashes in Ramallah

Palestinian health officials said at least 14 Palestinians were hurt by Israeli fire, some with live and rubber bullets, others from gas inhalation, as they gathered at the entrance to Ramallah to welcome the freed detainees.

Video footage showed Palestinians throwing stones towards police and then running away as police began firing. Some prisoners from East Jerusalem had arrived at their homes while others, who were due to be taken to Gaza or deported to Egypt, had yet to reach their destinations. Earlier, in Jabalia in northern Gaza, an Israeli soldier, Agam Berger, wearing an olive green uniform, was led through a narrow alley between heavily damaged buildings and over piles of rubble before being handed to the Red Cross.

“Our daughter is strong, faithful, and brave,” a statement from her family said. “Now Agam and our family can begin the healing process, but the recovery will not be complete until all the hostages return home.” A video released by Netanyahu’s office showed a pale Berger crying and smiling while sitting on her mother’s lap.

Tears of joy

The families of Thai farm workers held for over a year in Gaza cheered and wept with relief as they were freed.

“It is confirmed everyone, my son did not die. Thank you God,” Wiwwaeo Sriaoun said as she heard the confirmation that her son Watchara Sriaoun was among those freed. “I will hug him when I see him. I want to see if his health is OK, I am worried about his health,” she added between sobs.

“Thank you, thank you God he did not die. We trust in God.” Around 10 family members had gathered to support Wiwwaeo as she waited for news at the modest house on the family rubber farm in northeast Udon Thani region.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2025