• The Gaza ceasefire, effective of January 19, halted Israel’s deadly assault but was marked by violations.
• Thousands welcomed the freed Palestinians. Freed Israeli soldiers highlighted their humane treatment.
The three-phase ceasefire framework includes provisions for a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, with the ultimate objective of achieving a permanent truce and facilitating the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
During the initial stages of the agreement, numerous videos circulated on social media, highlighting violations of the agreement by the Israeli regime.
Furthermore, Netanyahu’s office has declared that Palestinians in Gaza are prohibited from returning to northern areas until Israeli hostage Arbel Yehoud is released. A Hamas source informed Al Jazeera that the group has communicated to mediators that Yehoud is alive and will be released next Saturday.
Palestinian civilians attempting to return to their homes in northern Gaza were subjected to open gunfire by Israeli soldiers today following the completion of the hostage exchange.
In November last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.
On Saturday, Hamas accused Israel of procrastination and not fulfilling the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. In a statement, the group said:
“The (Israeli) occupation continues to procrastinate in implementing the terms of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement by keeping (coastal) Al-Rashid Street closed and preventing displaced pedestrians from returning from the south to the north (Gaza Strip)”.
Hamas added: “We hold the occupation responsible for any delays in implementing the agreement and the repercussions this may have on subsequent phases”.
Hamas fighters displayed Israeli Tavor rifles during the transfer of four female Israeli soldiers in Gaza City. These rifles, reportedly seized during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli military bases and settlements near Gaza, were prominently featured on the podium at Palestine Square where the exchange took place.
The four Israelis women who have been returned to their homes are Liri Albag, 19, Daniella Gilboa, 20, Karina Ariev, 20, and Naama Levy, 20. These individuals are members of the Israeli army’s surveillance unit at the Nahal Oz base. They seemed healthy and well upon their release, waving to the Palestinian crowd and holding gifts given to them by Hamas. In a viral video they were captured stating the following:
“The Palestinian resistance treats prisoners humanely, in accordance with divine laws and international regulations, preserving their dignity and providing care. In contrast, the Israeli occupation practices oppression and torture against our prisoners, targeting children and women, turning prison cells into graves for dreams. The difference is clear: those who fight for freedom respect humanity, while those who occupy land commit the worst forms of oppression.”
During the handover and among the crowd of thousands of Palestinian civilians, dozens of fighters from Hamas’ armed wing, the Qassam Brigades were present.
200 Palestinian prisoners were released on Saturday under the Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.
Video footage captured the arrival of 114 prisoners in the West Bank city of Ramallah, transported from the Ofer Military Prison aboard three buses operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Thousands of Palestinians gathered in Ramallah to celebrate the release of the freed hostages.
Sixteen prisoners, escorted by Red Cross representatives, arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, where they were warmly welcomed by thousands.
Two buses carrying 70 freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in Egypt under the Gaza ceasefire agreement. These prisoners will remain in Egypt for less than 48 hours after which they will be transported to Algeria, Tunisia or Turkiye. One of these countries will be their permanent place of residence. It is unknown when or if their loved ones will be able to join them.
Sixteen prisoners, escorted by Red Cross representatives, arrived at the European Hospital in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip, where they were warmly welcomed by thousands.
Hamas said in a statement:
“A new batch of our heroic prisoners in the occupation prisons, who are serving life sentences and long sentences, see the light today within the framework of the Al-Aqsa Flood deal.
“Today, we force the criminal occupier to open the doors of his cells to our heroic prisoners, and this is our pledge to them for freedom, and to our people to continue walking together on the path of independence and self-determination.
“Despite the unprecedented brutal aggression that targeted every inch of Gaza in its barbarity, we preserved the enemy’s prisoners, in commitment to our morals and customs, at a time when the criminal enemy tried to get rid of them, and pursued them by targeting and bombing.
“This is one of the immortal days of our Palestinian people, in which it embodies its path and choices, and confirms its rallying around its resistance, and its insistence on continuing on the path of pride and dignity, and achieving its legitimate goals of freedom and establishing its independent state with Al-Quds as its capital.”
The first six-week phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect on January 19, halting the brutal Israeli bloodbath in Gaza. The onslaught of Palestinians has resulted in the murder of 47,300 Palestinians, primarily women and children, and caused injuries to over 111,400 individuals since October 7, 2023. Although the prestigious Lancet journal estimates a death toll of 186,000. The Israeli assault has left more than 11,000 people missing and triggered widespread destruction.
