Gaza ceasefire developments

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) facilitated the release of three "Israeli" captives from Gaza, transferring them to Tel Aviv, along with 90 Palestinian political prisoners who were returned to Palestinian territories. 

ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric Egger expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "We are heartened to see those released reunited with their loved ones. Ensuring their safety and providing essential care during such critical moments is a profound responsibility. This operation highlights our neutral, humanitarian role in bridging divides, saving lives, and reshaping futures."

The operation faced significant challenges, including stringent security measures, managing emotional crowds, and navigating Gaza's damaged infrastructure and unexploded ordnance. Despite these obstacles, the ICRC’s field teams successfully ensured the safety of all participants.

This release is part of a broader, multi-phase agreement to secure the freedom of additional detainees. Specialized teams, including medical professionals, were on hand to provide healthcare during the transfers.

Spoljaric urged continued cooperation, "We call on all parties to honor their commitments, ensuring the safe execution of future operations. Our teams stand ready to reunite more families."

To respect the privacy and dignity of those released, the ICRC confirmed it would not share any footage and urged the media to do the same, emphasizing the need to safeguard the safety and dignity of the released individuals.

Several recently freed Palestinian prisoners have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences in Israeli Occupation prisons, speaking to the media following their release early Monday as part of the exchange deal.

Adam Al-Hadra, a freed prisoner, recounted being arrested from his home by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). He described his detention as extremely harsh, highlighting the suffering caused by medical neglect and the denial of essential medications, even for elderly prisoners, which severely impacted their health.

Shaima Omar Ramadan, another freed prisoner, revealed she spent six months in IOF prisons without ever receiving a formal sentence. She shared that she only learned she was part of the first group of released prisoners on the day of her release.

Samah Hijawi, also among those freed, spoke of enduring her second imprisonment, during which she faced various forms of torture and mistreatment. She emphasized the dire conditions many female prisoners endured, particularly the lack of medical care and neglect of their health needs.

Rula Hassanein, a freed journalist, is reportedly in critical condition, according to her sister. She stated that Rola suffered from severe and deliberate medical neglect during her time in detention, leaving her in urgent need of medical treatment upon her release.

The freed Palestinian prisoner and leader in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Khalida Jarrar, returned home following her release as part of the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal.

A prominent Palestinian politician and a former member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Jarrar has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). She was first arrested in 2015 on charges of membership in a “banned organization seeking to liberate Palestine,” according to Israeli authorities. She was released on June 3, 2016, after serving 15 months but was rearrested in the summer of 2017.

Although she regained her freedom in September 2021, Jarrar was arrested once again on Dec. 26, 2023.

In March 1989, Jarrar led one of the largest women’s marches in Palestinian history, with over 5,000 women marching from Al-Bireh to Ramallah. The march was violently dispersed by the IOF, who arrested many participants, including Jarrar. She endured physical abuse during her arrest and interrogation and was later charged with resisting the occupation and incitement.

Jarrar has dedicated much of her life to defending Palestinian prisoners, notably through her leadership role in the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Her advocacy drew persistent harassment from "Israeli" authorities, and her husband was also detained more than 10 times.

Since the late 1990s, Jarrar has faced severe restrictions on her freedom of movement, with long-term travel bans imposed by the occupation.

Despite these challenges, Jarrar has represented Palestine on the global stage, including at the Human Rights Summit held at the Élysée Palace in France, and has participated in numerous international conferences on human rights.

The Israeli Occupation Prison Service said it had completed the release of 90 Palestinian prisoners early Monday, part of a Gaza ceasefire deal that took effect a day earlier.

"All the terrorists were released from Ofer prison and the Jerusalem detention centre", the service said, referring to the Palestinian prisoners, in a statement issued just before 1:30 am (2330 GMT Sunday).

Two buses with tinted windows were seen leaving the “Israeli” Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank in the early hours of Monday.

“Israeli” sources cited by Hebrew media blame the Red Cross for the delay in releasing 90 Palestinian prisoners from “Israeli” prisons as part of the Gaza ceasefire/exchange deal.

“The step is meant to present Israel as not living up to agreements,” Yedioth Ahronoth said citing an “Israeli” official.

Almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners are set to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire deal, which will last 42 days.

The three women captives released from Gaza on Sunday were in a stable condition, said a doctor at the hospital they were taken to.

"I'm happy to report that they are in stable condition. That allows us and them to focus on what is the most important thing for now... reuniting with their families", Itai Pessach, a doctor at the Sheba hospital in central “Israel”, told journalists – according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Hamas publishes footage of releasing “Israeli” captives to Red Cross on first day of the Gaza ceasefire/exchange deal.

Hamas’ military spokesperson Abu Obaida issued a video statement today, after the first round of captive exchanges took place in the Gaza Strip, kicking off the first phase of a multi-month ceasefire deal.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday called for the release of three women “Israeli” from Hamas captivity to serve as a new chapter for “Israelis” and Palestinians.

"Romi Gonen, Emily Damari & Doron Steinbrecher are free. Others must follow," von der Leyen wrote on the X social media platform.

"Seeing the hostages' reunion with their families fills our hearts with hope. Let it be the start of a new chapter for Israel and the Palestinian people. The ceasefire must hold. Europe will support it,” she added.

The released “Israeli” captives from Gaza have reached Sheba hospital in central “Israel” for treatment , after uniting with families – according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Travelling in military helicopters and accompanied by their mothers, the three women, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher, landed at the hospital, where the army said the rest of their family members awaited them.

First showing of released captives

The next group of Gaza captives to be released under a ceasefire agreement with “Israel” will be freed on Saturday, a senior Hamas official told AFP on Sunday after the initial release of three women.

"The release of the second batch of Israeli prisoners will take place on the evening of next Saturday, the seventh day from the start of the ceasefire agreement," the official said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak publicly about the matter.

The three released captives are now being escorted by IOF special forces and ISA personnel as they return to 'Israeli' territory for an initial medical evaluation. IOF commanders and soldiers  welcomed them as they head home. IOF Spokesperson's Unit requests respect for the privacy of the captives and their families.

Gazan crowds cheer Hamas fighters during exchange

A joint statement from the IOF and ISA confirmed that the Red Cross has received the three 'Israeli' captives, who are now being transferred to IOF and ISA forces in the Gaza Strip.

Roya's correspondent reported that the three 'Israeli' captives were handed over to the Red Cross, with footage showing Hamas fighters preparing them for transfer.

Images confirm that the captives are alive.

Hebrew Channel 7 reported that several protesters were arrested near the Ofer prison gate for opposing the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The demonstrators were detained as they voiced their objections to the ongoing prisoner exchange agreement.