In a significant development under the newly brokered truce, Israel and Hamas conducted their first hostage-prisoner exchange. Three Israeli women held hostage in Gaza were released on Sunday and reunited with their families, while 90 Palestinian detainees were freed early Monday.
The exchange is part of a 42-day ceasefire facilitated by Qatari, US, and Egyptian mediators, aimed at halting over 15 months of hostilities in Gaza and allowing humanitarian aid to flow into the territory.
Hostages Reunited
The freed Israeli hostages—Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher—were handed over to the Red Cross in Gaza City by Hamas fighters. They were transported back to Israel, where they were declared in stable condition. Mandy Damari, Emily’s mother, expressed relief but noted that “too many other families are still waiting.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum celebrated the release as “a beacon of hope,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a triumph “from darkness.”
Palestinian Detainees Released
Hours later, buses carrying Palestinian prisoners left Ofer prison in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Crowds in Beitunia cheered as the detainees arrived, waving flags and setting off fireworks. Among the released detainees were individuals serving life sentences for deadly attacks, with plans for deportation to Qatar and Turkey.
Amanda Abu Sharkh, a Beitunia resident, described the prisoners as “family” to the community, emphasizing the emotional impact of their return.
Gaza’s Devastation
As the ceasefire began, thousands of displaced Palestinians attempted to return to their homes across the battered Gaza Strip. In Jabalia, residents like Rana Mohsen were met with destruction. “There is no home left, just rubble, but it’s our home,” she said.
Northern Gaza, particularly hard hit, still lacks essentials like food, water, and shelter. Aid organizations, including the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme, have called for systematic access to deliver assistance.
Looking Ahead
The truce aims to pave the way for further exchanges and a lasting peace agreement. However, the situation remains fragile, with each side’s adherence contingent on the other’s commitment.
The war, which began with Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, has displaced the majority of Gaza’s 2.4 million residents and left vast areas in ruins.
While this exchange brings hope, the road to rebuilding Gaza and establishing a durable peace remains fraught with challenges.
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