‘Saw Sky Through Small Squares…’ Israel Frees 90 Palestinian Prisoners As Hamas Hostages Return Home

Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners on January 19 under a truce deal, coinciding with Hamas handing over three Israeli hostages. The exchange marked the first phase of a ceasefire agreement, bringing a 15-month war in Gaza to a halt. A senior Hamas official stated the next group of hostages would be freed on January 25. The truce, brokered by Qatari, US and Egyptian mediators, involves the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for around 1,900 Palestinians. Emotional reunions followed, with families and friends celebrating the return of the freed individuals. However, many released prisoners shared harrowing accounts of imprisonment. The ceasefire also allowed thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to the devastation in Gaza. Over 10,000 Palestinians remain detained in Israeli prisons, with many analysts expressing concerns over potential re-arrests of freed prisoners. n18oc_world n18oc_crux