Palestinians in the West Bank await the release of prisoners after a ceasefire agreement


The families of 90 Palestinian prisoners are waiting anxiously in the occupied West Bank to be released from Israeli jails as part of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Hundreds gathered in the town square in Beituniya, about a mile (1.6 km) up the road from Israel's Ofer prison, waving Palestinian flags and chanting.

Amidst an atmosphere of excitement and nervous anticipation, Diash Dara was waiting for her sister Hadil.

The 32-year-old university administrator has been held without charge for seven months.

“I'm happy, I think, a little confused because of what happened in Gaza,” Diaz told the BBC.

“Most importantly, they stopped the war in Gaza. Even if she wasn't released today, we (would) be fine with that. But at least the war is over.”

Most of the 90 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on Sunday are women, as well as several children.

There will be more anxious days in the next six weeks.

About 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza are to be released in the first phase of the deal in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages, including the three women freed by Hamas in Gaza on Sunday afternoon.

One of the most prominent prisoners is Zakaria Zubaidi, the former leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades armed group in the northern West Bank city of Jenin.

The 49-year-old has served time in both Israeli and Palestinian prisons for numerous crimes, including murder.

He said he carried out a shooting in 2002 that killed six Israelis.

Zubaidi was also in the news in 2021 when he made a tunnel escape from an Israeli prison before being recaptured five days later.



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