Freed Palestinian Prisoners Reunite with Families in Gaza and West Bank
Hundreds of freed Palestinian prisoners returned home to Gaza and the occupied West Bank, greeted by tears and celebration. Families cheered and cried as loved ones stepped off Red Cross buses, many looking weak after years in detention.
Emotional Homecomings After Prisoner Release
Israel released about 250 prisoners convicted of attacks, along with 1,700 detainees from Gaza who had been held without charge. The emotional scenes reflected both relief and deep scars left by long imprisonment.
Exchange Follows Hostage Deal
The release was part of a prisoner exchange involving 20 Israeli hostages and the remains of several others returned by Hamas. The deal, brokered with international mediation, aimed to ease tensions amid ongoing conflict.
In Ramallah, freed prisoners draped themselves in Keffiyeh scarves as crowds surrounded them, waving flags and chanting in joy. Some prisoners appeared pale and frail, showing signs of mistreatment or malnutrition.
Officials described the event as a moment of fragile hope, though both sides remain wary. Human rights groups urged continued dialogue to prevent further detentions and violence.
For many families, the reunion was bittersweet. Years of separation and uncertainty have left emotional wounds, but the day marked a long-awaited moment of relief.
As the celebrations continued into the night, the release symbolized both pain and resilience, reminding the world of the human cost behind decades of conflict.
