The Palestinians flooded with the joy of the Palestinians on Monday in Gaz and on the West Bank to welcome the prisoners liberated on the basis of an agreement on the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas mediated by American post-to-host, which also recorded the release of the last 20 Israeli hostages since October 7, 2023, attacks.
By agreement Israel began to release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 convicts for serious crimes and 1700 detained detained without charges in Gaza since the beginning of the war. After almost two years of devastating conflict, the exchange is considered a breakthrough.
Thousands gathered at Nasser’s hospital in Khan Youenis, waving Palestinian flags and singing nationalist songs as buses of the liberated detained people arrived. Some prisoners leaned out of the windows and blinked V-Pro signs; Others collapsed into an emotional embrace.
People gather to greet liberated Palestinian prisoners who arrived on buses in the Gaza band after their release from Israeli prison on the basis of an agreement on the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, outside the Nasser Hospital in Khan Youenis, South Gaz Strip, Monday 13 October 2025.
“I am happy for our sons who are liberated, but we are still in pain for all who were killed and for what happened to Gaza,” said the woman who identified herself as UM Ahmed and spoke through tears.
In Ramallah, the liberated Dr. Samer Halabeya said that the prisoners were narrated only after the agreement was signed. “We hope everyone will free up,” he said next to his crying mother.
Liberated Palestinian prisoners come to buses in the Gaza Strip after their release from Israeli prison on the basis of an agreement on the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, outside the Nasser Hospital in Khan Youenis, South Gaza Strip, Monday, October 13, 2025.
Among those liberated was Mohammad al-Khatib, who spent 20 years in prison for killing three Israelis. “We always had hope – that’s why we stayed persistent,” he told Reuters.
Liberated Palestinian prisoners gesture from the bus after being released Israel as part of the replacement of the hostage of prisoners and the agreement on the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Youenis in the southern Gaza zone, October 13, 2025. Reuters/Mahmúds Issa
For many Palestinians, the release symbolizes the long -awaited justice. It is a painful compromise for Israel: a few of those who were liberated were convicted of fatal attacks. This question remains one of the most politically accused in conflict – with almost every Palestinian family who had someone trapped at some point.
Israel warned against public celebrations on the West Bank and distributed leaflets that anyone supports the arrests of “terrorist organizations”. In Beitunia, however, hundreds ignored the warnings and raised liberated prisoners on their shoulders as the crowds sang and encouraged.
People respond in a building in Nasser Hospital’s hospital because it welcomes that Palestinian prisoners have released Israel as part of the hostage and an agreement on the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, Khan Youenis in South Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. Reuters/Mahmoud Issa
Hamas said that 154 prisoners were deported to Egypt. Others returned to Eastern Jerusalem, the West Bank or Gaza.
The released list includes both Fatah and Hamas members, as well as others imprisoned for attacks during the first and second intifades. Some have been held for decades, including Mahmúd Issa, commander of Hamas, trapped since 1993, and Raed Sheikh, police officer Fatah, who has been more living conditions since 2000.
However, prominent characters such as Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Saadat remain in custody – which evokes criticism of some families. “The agreement was sacrificed by those who played the biggest role in resistance,” wrote Al-Barghouti, daughter of imprisoned leader Hamas Abdallah al-Barghoutti.
People gather in Nasser hospital because they welcome that they have liberated Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of the exchange of hostages of prisoners and an agreement on the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, in Khan Youenis in the southern Gaza zone, October 13, 2025.
For Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51 -year -old member of Fatah of Tulkarem, freedom came after years of hardship. “It was an indescribable path of suffering – hunger, torture, oppression,” he said, set off after a loss of 59 kilograms in prison.
The liberated Palestinian prisoners look from the bus after being released by Israel as part of the handles of the prisoners and the ceasefire agreements between Hamas and Israel, Khan Youenis in South Gaza Strip, October 13, 2025. Reuters/Mahmúd Issa.
The release, although considered a humanitarian step, underlines the deep scars of the war, which required tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions. For families on both sides, the moment is about grief as well as relief.
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