Israeli media reported that the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, continues to taunt the occupation state through symbolic messages during the release of Israeli captives. The latest instance occurred on Saturday with the release of four female soldiers in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
On Saturday, the released soldiers were seen wearing identification tags adorned with Palestinian flags, bracelets featuring the Palestinian flag, and carrying gift bags presented by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
According to Israeli newspapers, the gift bags contained a map of the Gaza Strip, commemorative photos from their time in captivity, and a “release decision” document.
Completion of the Second Prisoner Exchange
Mediators confirmed on Saturday evening the successful completion of the second prisoner exchange as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. This phase involved the release of four Israeli female soldiers in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners.
The statement added that this was part of the “second prisoner exchange operation since the beginning of the ceasefire.”
The Exchange Details
Earlier on Saturday, the four Israeli female soldiers returned to Israel after being handed over by Palestinian factions in Gaza to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
In exchange, Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners. Among them:
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- 114 prisoners returned to Ramallah, in the central West Bank.
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- 16 prisoners returned to the Gaza Strip.
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- 70 prisoners were deported to Egypt.
Of the released Palestinian prisoners, 121 were serving life sentences, while the remaining 79 had high-term sentences.
This marks the second prisoner exchange under the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which went into effect on January 19.
