Israel Frees 110 Palestinian Prisoners, Including 'Naga' From Jenin

JAKARTA - Israel released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the third wave of the gradual deal of prisoner swaps by ceasefire, after several hours of delay.

The Palestinian Commission for Prisoners and Former Prisoners and Society of Palestinian Prisoners, the group released on Thursday includes 110 prisoners, quoted from WAFA January 31.

In detail, those who were released included 32 people who served life sentences, 48 people with various prison sentences and 30 children.

Their release was delayed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the chaos during the release of Israeli hostages.

Ahead of the release, Israeli forces declared the area near Ofer Prison a closed military zone, preventing families from gathering to welcome their loved ones.

Soldiers fired live ammunition and tear gas at those trying to reach the site.

In addition, Israeli occupation forces stormed the city of Betunnia, the closest city to the Ofer Prison, by firing tear gas cylinders at residents.

At least 20 people were injured, including three people who were hit by live ammunition. Military bulldozers also blocked secondary roads to prevent people from reaching prison.

Meanwhile, hundreds of residents, including the families of the prisoners who were released, gathered at the Ramallah Recreation Complex to celebrate their return.

Among those waiting for their son was Huda Abdel Rahim Jaber from Haris village, in Salfit Province. His son, Haitham (51) was released after 23 years behind bars.

"Independent feelings. We haven't seen him for 15 months," he told WAFA, explaining Israeli authorities had prevented family visits during the recent war in Gaza.

Haitham Jaber was first detained at the age of 16 in 1991, completing her high school diploma behind bars.

He was jailed again in 1995 for seven years and then in 2002, received 28 years in prison. While in prison, he wrote two novels, a collection of poems, and earned titles in the field of journalism and history.

Meanwhile, Hanan Mariad from Idhna City saw his son, Ezzedine, released after serving 11 years from a 27-year sentence. However, her husband, ZiadLAd, remains in prison for life, after being rectified after being released in exchange for detention in 2011.

His other son, Hassan, is being held in administrative custody.

"It feels mixed between happy and sad," he said.

"Our happiness is incomplete while Gaza is bleeding," he continued.

The Muslim Tasnim from Talfit, south of Nablus, was very happy to see his father, Qasem, released after 25 years in prison.

"We waited so long for this moment. It really hurts to lose a father's hug," he said.

Among those released, there are a number of prominent Palestinian prisoners.

Zakaria Zubaidi, for example, a former well-known resistance fighter, has been jailed several times since his youth. He was detained in February 2019 and served five years in prison for escaping from Gilboa Prison in 2021.

He has lost many family members, including the son, brother, and his mother, who were killed by Israeli forces.

Zubaidi is known as a strong man in the city of Jenin, West Bank, the center of Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation and the site of frequent Israeli army attacks, including major operations a week ago.

"All praise to Allah, who has blessed me with today's release. May the spirits of the Gaza martyrs rest in peace," Zubaidi told a crowd of people gathered to welcome him in Ramallah.

When asked about reports that Israel would not allow her to return to Jenin's refugee camp, Zubaidi replied, "Naga is the owner of the land and hunters must go".

It is known, Zubaidi is known in Jenin as a dragon.

Apart from Zubaidi, there was pupa Mohammed Fal Strange who was released after 33 years, Sameh Shubaki, who was arrested in 2003 and sentenced to life imprisonment, to Mohammed Abu Warda who was arrested in 2002 and has been sentenced to life imprisonment of 48 times.