in Ramallah, the parents of Dania, Palestinian prisoner, await her return

Among the more than 90 Palestinian detainees who are to be released by Israel on Sunday, Dania, 21, whose family is waiting in Ramallah.

More than 90 Palestinian detainees are to be released on Sunday January 19, with the entry into force of the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. In Ramallah, the family of Dania, 21, awaits the return of the young woman who has been imprisoned for five months for “political activism”.

Small diced carrots, zucchini: Mahla prepares it sfihaa traditional Palestinian soup, a light dish for Dania's return: “I'm going to see how she's doing, if she can eat already, and tomorrow I'll make her the dish she likes.” It's been five months since she last saw her daughter. “I'm going to hold her, kiss her really hard because we've never been apart for this long. I don't know if I'm going to faint when I see her, I missed her a lot.”

The father, Sakar, was scared when the ceasefire was delayed early this morning: “We expected it with the Israelis, we knew they were going to jeopardize the deal and all this will delay the return of the prisoners.” Dania's return will be celebrated soberly: no decorations, no music, out of respect for all the victims of Gaza, the parents say.

Sakar's relief is also mixed with worry: the fear of seeing his daughter imprisoned again in the future. But he cannot, he says, prevent her from living: “She will never be safe because of the occupation, it is a criminal occupation… She will return to a normal life, and I will let her live without limits. I do not want to put obstacles in her way, nor censor your thoughts.” In a few hours, they will be able to hug their daughter instead of kissing her photo.