Ramallah, West Bank – The release of Palestinian prisoners and detainees by Israel sparked a mix of elation and heartbreak on Monday, as families gathered anticipating reunions only to face the devastating news that some loved ones would not be coming home, and others would be deported to Gaza. Many of those freed had been incarcerated for years, with some having spent decades in Israeli prisons.
The releases are part of a deal brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, intended to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. Though, confusion and distress arose from conflicting prisoner lists circulating before the releases, with some names appearing on lists for return to the West Bank and others slated for deportation to Gaza - a territory from which access is severely restricted for West Bank residents.
Um Abed, whose brother Kamal Imran had been expected to be released, was shocked by the possibility of his deportation. “We’ve been waiting here for his release for two days. We’re shocked to hear this. The Israelis stormed our house and told us we were forbidden from doing any kind of festivity – so he should be released,” she said, tears in her eyes. When the buses arrived in Ramallah and the last prisoner disembarked without her brother, she broke down in grief.
Similar scenes unfolded as other families learned their relatives would be deported. “Why are they deporting him?” one woman screamed in tears, before being escorted away by police. Raed Imran,witnessing the anguish,stated,”It would have been easier if they just told us from the beginning. We don’t know where he is. Egypt? Gaza? We are devastated.”
