by Josh Breiner and Jack Khoury at Haaretz
The bulk of detainees, who were arrested in Gaza during the war because they were classified as ‘illegal combatants’ by the IDF, were transported back to the Strip with the assistance of the Red Cross. Most of the prisoners will be deported after their release
As part of the cease-fire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas, 1,968 Palestinian detainees and prisoners were released on Monday – 1,718 detainees and 250 inmates serving life sentences after having been convicted of murder or attempted murder of Israelis.
The detainees are Gaza residents who were classified as “illegal combatants” and arrested by IDF forces during the course of the war. They were transported with the assistance of the Red Cross from the Kerem Shalom crossing into the Gaza Strip, where they were released. Their release took place after Israel received confirmation that the 20 remaining living Israeli hostages had been returned to Israel.
Of the 250 released life prisoners, 154 were deported to Egypt via the Kerem Shalom crossing, while 74 were released at the Beitunia crossing near Ramallah in the West Bank after being transported there from the nearby Ofer Prison. Another 18 prisoners, who had lived in Gaza prior to their incarceration, were transferred to the Strip, and the remaining four were released in East Jerusalem…
Continue Reading