As the highly anticipated release of Palestinian prisoners from Ofer Prison in Israel gets underway, there is a sense of relief and hope in the air. The deal between Israel and Hamas, which was initially delayed due to issues with receiving the names of the hostages to be released, has finally begun nearly three hours later than planned.
Three hostages; Emily Damari, 28, Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, are set to be freed after 4pm local time. The list of names provided by Hamas has been confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, although the specific names have not been announced to the public yet.
This first phase of prisoner release will see a total of 1,904 Palestinian prisoners freed, with over 1,000 of them being individuals detained in Gaza since the conflict began, many of whom have not faced formal charges. Additionally, 737 prisoners are categorized as “security prisoners,” including key figures from various Palestinian factions such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ brigades.
This historic moment marks a significant step towards peace and reconciliation in the region, as both Israel and Hamas work towards resolving the ongoing conflict. The release of these prisoners is seen as a crucial gesture of goodwill and a crucial first step towards rebuilding trust and fostering dialogue between the two sides. The world watches as these long-awaited releases unfold, hopeful for a brighter future for all those affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
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Video “LIVE: Palestinians released from Ofer Prison in Israel” was uploaded on 01/20/2025 to Youtube Channel The Times and The Sunday Times