Palestinian prisoner Reza Ubaid, released from Israeli prison as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal, raises the victory sign as he steps of from the bus carrying freed prisoners, in Khan Younis, Gaza, February 1, 2025. Photo: Anadolu Agency.
“Israel” released 183 Palestinian detainees in exchange for three Israeli captives on February 1, as part of the fourth prisoner swap under the ceasefire agreement underway in Gaza.
The group of detainees consists of 111 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who were abducted by the Israeli army during its ethnic cleansing campaign in the enclave. Additionally, 32 detainees are from the occupied West Bank; they were transferred to the International Red Cross from the Ofer Prison facility close to Ramallah.
The moment the buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in Khan Yunis, Gaza.
The buses are carrying Palestinians from Gaza abducted during Israel’s genocidal war. pic.twitter.com/OQaoCeSKu8
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 1, 2025
Palestinian health authorities report that many of the released detainees were taken directly to medical facilities due to signs of torture, starvation, and infections, including scabies. “Once again, every time prisoners are released, we find the prisoners’ bodies reflecting the level of crimes committed against them, including torture that is unprecedented in its level after October 7,” the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) said in a statement.
The Palestinian Prisoners Club says “every time prisoners are released, we find the prisoners’ bodies reflecting the level of crimes committed against them, including torture that is unprecedented in its level after October 7”.
🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/gUGEpqCAOr pic.twitter.com/NKFbuiDQHz
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 1, 2025
“The transfer of a number of released prisoners directly to hospitals to receive treatment, after spending years in captivity, confirms the extent of the ugliness of what they are exposed to inside fascist prisons, where the occupation practices brutal methods of torture that violate all international norms and laws related to prisoners,” the Prisoners’ Media Office in Gaza stated.
Hamas also condemned the mistreatment of Palestinians inside Israeli prisons and torture camps: “These horrific and ongoing violations against our heroic prisoners constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
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Earlier on Saturday, Hamas released three Israeli captives to officials from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Two of the captives were freed in a customary ceremony in front of onlookers in the southern city of Khan Yunis, while the third was handed over to the ICRC later in Gaza City in the north.
Qassam Brigades put up a poster on the stage saying “Nazi Zionism will not win” during today’s handover of Israeli captives. pic.twitter.com/UFbhQhzgmB
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) February 1, 2025
The ceasefire agreement for Gaza commenced on January 19, aiming to put an end to a 15-month-long genocide and secure the release of captives held in the besieged area in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. “Israel” has provided a list of over 700 Palestinians who will be released under this arrangement. Among them, over 230 serving life sentences will be permanently exiled upon their release. Algeria, Tunisia, and Türkiye have pledged to take them in.
