Hamas

Released Terrorists‌ Reside in Egyptian Hotel Under Security Watch

Following ⁤a recent ceasefire agreement, 154 individuals⁣ previously held ⁣in Israeli‍ prisons, convicted ‌of involvement in terrorist activities, are ⁤currently residing ​at the Mirage City Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. Their movement is restricted, with Egyptian security forces – described ⁣as⁤ heavily armed ‌and visibly present – controlling access to and from the ​hotel grounds.Reports⁣ indicate ⁣that permission from these‍ authorities is required for any trips outside ‍the‍ facility.

Among those released⁤ and now staying at the hotel is Basem ‌Khandakji, 41, who played a role in the 2004 Carmel Market bombing in Israel, which resulted in three deaths and over ⁣50 injuries. Khandakji reportedly​ used his ⁢journalist identification to transport a ‌16-year-old suicide​ bomber to the attack location. Despite this,‍ he has received recognition within pro-Palestinian circles, including the International Prize⁣ for Arab Fiction in 2023 for ⁤his novel, ⁤’A Mask, The Color Of‍ The Sky’. He was publicly invited to‍ a book signing⁣ event in Cairo⁤ following the award.

Another individual present at the hotel ⁤is Abu‍ Nima, who served⁢ nearly 40 years in prison for his ‍involvement in ‍the 1983 Jerusalem bus ‌bombing, which killed six people, including an 11-year-old child.Witnesses report seeing supporters⁤ seeking photographs⁣ with Nima at ⁢the hotel’s Sol Pool ‌Bar.

The situation at the hotel presents a unique ⁤juxtaposition, ⁣with⁤ a Christian couple holding a wedding‍ ceremony outdoors while the released prisoners where present. Music from‍ Abba’s “Dancing ​Queen” was reportedly audible​ in the courtyard where the prisoners were posing for photographs. Observations also⁤ indicate a degree of tension,with the released prisoners,fully clothed,observed watching Western tourists in swimwear by the pool.

despite claims of familial separation made in interviews with sympathetic media, ⁣several ⁣of ⁤the released​ prisoners have been ​seen with relatives who traveled to Egypt to meet them. issa,who received multiple life sentences and an additional 49 years for terror attacks including suicide ⁢bombings and the murder of Nissim ‌Toldeano,was​ observed spending ⁤time with women and ⁣children,and ⁤socializing on⁣ his balcony. He⁣ was previously held in solitary confinement for over 12 years⁤ following‍ an attempted escape ​in 1996.

Israeli officials have​ stated that‌ the decision to release 96 prisoners⁢ to the West Bank and Gaza, and deport 154 to Egypt, was made with the intention of enhanced monitoring and security. Intelligence agencies are expected ​to closely monitor the ⁤released⁣ individuals. this release follows previous prisoner‍ exchanges in November 2023 and January 2024.

Throughout the ⁢reporting period, the ‍released prisoners were frequently observed ‍using phones and engaging in⁢ private conversations. ‌The long-term⁢ implications of this release,particularly in light of the October ⁢7,2023 Hamas attack,are being questioned,raising concerns ‍about the potential⁤ for future plotting and the overall cost of the current ceasefire agreement.