They’re coming home to Israel and headed to who knows where
The remaining Hamas hostages in Gaza are free (Associated Press):
Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza on Monday, while Israel began releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire pausing two years of war that pummeled the territory, killed tens of thousands of Palestinians, and had left scores of captives in militant hands.
Cheering crowds greeted buses of prisoners in the West Bank, while families and friends of the hostages gathered in a square in Tel Aviv, Israel, cried out with joy and relief as news arrived that the captives were free.
The hostages, all men, have arrived back in Israel, where they will reunite with family and undergo medical checks. The bodies of the remaining 28 dead hostages are also expected to be handed over as part of the deal, although the exact timing remained unclear.
The Guardian adds:
Emotional footage was shared by Israeli broadcasters to an estimated 65,000 people gathered in front of large screens on “hostages square” in Tel Aviv and to millions more watching the coverage at home.
[…]
The family of Matan Angrest, 22, an Israel Defense Force soldier captured when his tank was attacked by Hamas near the Gaza perimeter fence, who have been critical of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, over the continuation of the war, praised Donald Trump.
They said: “We can breathe again. Our Matan is home. Our beloved boy has been returned to us after two complex years, and we are so proud of him … A huge, historic, eternal thank you to the president of the United States and his team who worked with dedication and persistence for the rescue and return of our loved ones.
“The joy in our family is mixed with sadness for those murdered and for those who were not returned alive.”
Donald Trump as I type this is speaking to Israel’s Parliament. But the less said about that the better. We’ll never hear the end of it. He’s saying plenty, and is running behind schedule.
Knesset lawmakers Ofer Cassif and Ayman Odeh were removed from the chamber after holding up protest signs a few minutes into President Donald Trump’s address. “That was very efficient,” Trump said, as the two men were escorted out. Ahead of Trump’s speech, Cassif said in a statement that it would be “undoubtedly filled with self-aggrandizement and lies” and that the U.S. president “has not an ounce of care for either the Israeli or Palestinian people.”
Meanwhile, Sky News reports that an Israeli military drone has dropped leaflets in Ramallah in the West Bank warning Palestinians that they are under surveillance. Anyone celebrating the Israeli release of Palestinian prisoners will be arrested and face harsh punishment.
@skynews An Israeli military drone has dropped leaflets outside the military detention facility Ofer Prison in the West Bank, warning Palestinians ahead of the release of almost 2000 Palestinian prisoners. Sky’s Adam Parson reports. #Israel #Palestine #SkyNews
Sky News also reports that the Israeli government has also banned the families of those prisoners from being interviewed.
Somehow it doesn’t portend a long-lasting peace.
Aljazeera reports that some released Palestinians will be forced into exile:
Families of many of the Palestinian prisoners being released by Israel under an exchange deal say their long-awaited freedom is bittersweet after they learned their loved ones would be deported to third countries.
At least 154 Palestinian prisoners being freed on Monday as part of the swap for Israeli captives held in Gaza will be forced into exile by Israel, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office said.
Seventy Palestinian prisoners released in January were deported to Tunisia, Algeria and Turkey.
It’s not clear what any of it means for Gazans. The ceasefire means there is a power vacuum in Gaza already being filled by violence (CNN):
Social media channels affiliated with Hamas reported clashes in the Sabra area of Gaza City between a prominent family and security forces during which Muhammad Imad Aql, the son of a senior Hamas military commander, was killed.
Hamas forces surrounded the Dughmush family’s neighborhood on Friday night. Sources told CNN that several members of the family had been killed, and a large number of masked, armed men had been deployed around the Jordanian hospital in Gaza City.
CNN was told Sunday that clashes continued in the area.
In southern Gaza, a group opposed to Hamas known as the Popular Forces has refused to lay down its arms.
So it goes.
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