After 735 days of hardship, hunger, raids and bombs, the inhabitants of Gaza finally breathed a sigh of relief with the entry into force of the truce. And today, after almost two years of pain, they also found moments of happiness in seeing friends, children, sisters and husbands return from Israeli prisons, where they spent weeks and months in very difficult conditions. Some families did not believe their loved ones were still alive. And the celebration, upon the arrival of the buses of Palestinian prisoners exchanged for Israeli hostages, broke out in Ramallah as well as in various locations in the Strip. Those who got off those buses were acclaimed and, in some cases, carried in triumph like heroes.
Shots in the air, shouts of joy, groups of people clinging to the bus windows, flags: “It’s a wonderful feeling, an unforgettable day”, repeated a man in his fifties ready to hug his son who had been stopped some time ago – according to his story – at a checkpoint and never returned home. “I didn’t think I would be able to see her again, it seems like a dream to me”, says an elderly woman through tears, waiting to hug her daughter again.
There are many, almost two thousand prisoners released from prison. There are women, some teenagers, but also 250 life prisoners convicted of attacks and murders. Another 1,722 have been imprisoned since October 7 two years ago, but not involved in the Hamas attack. Among the latter also 22 minors. Some were brought back to Ramallah, others to the Strip, still others will be exiled abroad, especially to Türkiye and Qatar. Among them were not the ‘Big Seven’ that Hamas claimed, including Marwan Barghouti. But not even the two doctors Hussam Abu Safiya and Marwan Al Hams, hospital managers in Gaza accused by Israel of being affiliated with Hamas, but “without proof” according to the numerous human rights NGOs calling for their release.
They were released from prison in Israel and sent to Gaza via the Israeli borders east of the city of Khan Younis, all of whom were taken to Naser Hospital in the city for an initial medical check-up and then discharged to return to their families.
“During these months we have never managed to have contact with them”, says a couple waiting to see two of their five children again, confirming that the inmates were not allowed any external contact. “Now they need help, they have suffered psychological and physical torture”, reports a woman waiting for her husband.
Families gathered at Nasser awaiting medical checks on their loved ones for which a field hospital has been set up adjacent to the main hospital building. «I feel something indescribable: there is joy, pain, happiness, sadness. A set of sensations that are difficult to describe. But it will all pass when I see him again. Tonight we could sit at the table with our children again and try to forget this nightmare”, explains a young woman. Her three children attached to her dress and her eyes focused on that bus that is bringing her husband back to her