Buses bearing the Red Cross logo, escorted by the organization’s vehicles, were seen leaving the prison to transport prisoners to their home areas, according to an Anadolu correspondent.
As part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, Israeli authorities released several East Jerusalem prisoners, sending them directly home to the holy city.
Palestinian human rights organizations have revealed the names of 90 detainees, including 20 children and adolescents, among those released in this first stage of the deal.
Around Ofer prison, located near Beituniya, between Al Quds and Ramallah, the Israeli army declared the adjacent area a “closed military zone” and prohibited any gathering of prisoners’ families.
Despite this, dozens of relatives of the released detainees gathered to welcome their loved ones, but were dispersed by the use of tear gas by Israeli forces.
More than 10,400 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
-Israel currently holds more than 10,400 Palestinian prisoners, while around 96 Israeli prisoners are held in Gaza, where Hamas has announced the death of several dozen of them during Israeli strikes.
The ceasefire, which came into effect on Sunday morning, will last 42 days. Negotiations are underway to begin the next phases of the agreement.
As part of the first phase of the agreement, Hamas plans to release 33 Israeli prisoners, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the number of which will depend on the status of each Israeli detainee, whether military or “civilian”.
Since October 7, 2023, with the support of the United States, Israel has carried out a military offensive in Gaza, which has left more than 157,000 Palestinians dead and injured, mainly women and children.
More than 11,000 people are missing, as the region is ravaged by massive destruction and famine, leaving dozens of children and the elderly dead, in what is considered one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. .
