Israel releases Palestinian prisoners after chaotic hostage handover delays; 5 Thai hostages also freed

CAIRO/JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH. Israel has released 110 Palestinian prisoners following a tense delay caused by chaotic scenes during the handover of hostages freed by Hamas. The incident, which took place on Thursday, initially halted the scheduled prisoner release, as Israeli officials reacted with concern to the disorderly nature of the transfer.

Hostages Freed Amidst Tense Scenes

Hamas released three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza, including Arbel Yehoud, 29, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the Hamas-led assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. Yehoud appeared visibly distressed as armed militants led her through a dense crowd in Khan Younis before handing her over to the Red Cross.

Another Israeli hostage, 80-year-old Gadi Moses, was also released, along with five Thai nationals who were working on Israeli farms near Gaza when they were taken hostage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the chaotic handover, stating, “The sight of hostages being mishandled was shocking. Anyone who harms our hostages will pay the ultimate price.” Following this, both Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the delay of prisoner releases “until the safe exit of our hostages in the next phases is assured.” Later, Israeli officials confirmed that mediators had assured safer conditions for upcoming exchanges.

Palestinian Prisoners Welcomed by Crowds

Following the hostage handover, buses carrying Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where they were met by cheering crowds. Many of the detainees, including minors and convicted members of Palestinian factions responsible for attacks in Israel, were received with celebratory chants of “We sacrifice our souls and blood for you.”

Among the most prominent prisoners freed was Zakaria Zubaidi, a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of the Fatah movement. Zubaidi, who escaped from an Israeli prison in 2021 before being recaptured, addressed the crowds upon his release, saying, “Thank God who blessed me with the release today. May the souls of the martyrs of Gaza rest in peace.”

When asked about reports that Israel would not allow him to return to the Jenin refugee camp, he responded defiantly, “The dragon is the owner of the land and the hunter must leave.” Zubaidi is widely known in Jenin by the moniker “the dragon.”

Clashes Erupt in Ramallah

The prisoner release was marred by violence as Palestinian health officials reported that at least 14 Palestinians were injured by Israeli fire at the entrance to Ramallah. Video footage showed protesters hurling stones at Israeli forces, who responded with live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas. There was no immediate response from Israeli authorities regarding the incident.

The Aftermath and Continued Conflict

Elsewhere in Gaza, an Israeli soldier, Agam Berger, was filmed being led through rubble-strewn streets before being handed over to the Red Cross. Berger’s family released a statement saying, “Our daughter is strong, faithful, and brave. Now Agam and our family can begin the healing process, but the recovery will not be complete until all the hostages return home.”

Video released by Netanyahu’s office showed Berger tearfully embracing her mother, while footage of Moses reuniting with his family showed him in relatively stable condition. A doctor confirmed that Moses was in good health but would continue to be monitored.

The Ongoing Crisis

Netanyahu has faced criticism for not securing a hostage deal earlier in the war, following the devastating October 7 Hamas attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages being taken. Israel’s military response has since killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, leaving Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins and its residents facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

Israelis gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square to watch the release on a giant screen, cheering and crying as the freed hostages were taken to hospitals for medical care. U.S. President Joe Biden’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, was seen shaking hands with hostages’ family members, as some in the crowd expressed gratitude for his role in the ceasefire negotiations.

Despite the release, tensions remain high. Hamas, which Israel has vowed to destroy, retains a strong presence in Gaza despite months of bombardment. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri remained defiant, stating, “The killing of leaders only makes the people stronger and more stubborn.”

As of now, Israel still lists 82 captives in Gaza, with around 30 declared dead in absentia. The war, now over 15 months long, continues to reshape the region’s geopolitical landscape, with no clear resolution in sight.