Since the Gaza ceasefire deal took effect on 19 January 2025, Hamas has released 18 Israeli captives, while Israel has freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
The deal, brokered with the help of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, comes after more than a year of genocide in Gaza, where Israel’s airstrikes and ground operations have killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authority.
After more than 20 years in prison and four life sentences, Mohammed Zayed was among the 200 Palestinians released late last month as part of the deal that also freed four Israeli captives.
Mohammed’s wife, Amina Asfoura, who was among the crowd gathered at the Al-Am’ari refugee camp in the occupied West Bank to welcome him back, told The New Arab: “At that moment, I felt as if I were in heaven.”
In saying this, Amina shared that it was the first time in over two decades that she held her husband, and despite the celebration, her joy is tinged with years of pain.
“The burden of the words I could not say to my husband — of everything that happened during his absence — still weighs on me,” Amina said.
That being said, Amina, like many others, is living in uncertainty at the moment.
Despite offering some relief to families, the situation remains complex and fraught with tension, as the ceasefire agreement, though in place, is unstable, with both sides continuing to exchange accusations of violations.
Reclaiming dignity in the face of occupation
On the other hand, some view the release of long-held Palestinian prisoners as a small step toward reclaiming dignity in the face of occupation.
Ramallah and Al-Bireh Governor Laila Ghanem expressed both joy and concern, emphasising that the release of prisoners represented a significant step forward for the Palestinian people.
“This release is not just an individual event, but rather a symbol of steadfastness and hope in the face of ongoing challenges,” she said. “It reflects the aspirations of the Palestinian people for freedom and justice.”
For Duaa Musa, the release of her father, Saleh Musa — sentenced to life imprisonment 27 times and held in Israeli prisons for over two decades — is more than a personal victory; it is a triumph for all Palestinians who have endured prolonged separation, even though he was deported to Egypt.
“This is a victory for Palestine, for the families who have endured so much,” she said. “We’ve been waiting for this for years. Our hope has never died.”
Before his release, Duaa recalls the Israeli military raiding their home and destroying everything inside. “They told us, ‘He will not come to you, and you won’t be allowed to travel to see him,’” she said, adding that Israeli soldiers wrecked their home, saying, “We’re giving you something to keep yourselves busy with instead of waiting.”
When she saw her father’s name on the release list, Duaa felt a mix of hope and fear, desperately wishing he would return to their new home.
“We have lived through successive arrests and the death of my mother, who bore the burden of this suffering,” she said. “But when we saw my father’s name on the list, I was thrilled — at least I get to speak to him whenever I want, to have him guiding me and advising me, even from afar.”
‘We will not give up’
While the ceasefire in Gaza has allowed for the release of some prisoners, the situation in the West Bank remains tense.
Israeli forces have ramped up military offensives, including the ‘Iron Wall‘ operation around the Jenin refugee camp, which has already led to the deaths of 18 Palestinians.
Checkpoints and roadblocks have also been erected, restricting movement and stoking fears of further escalation, while, in addition to airstrikes and ground raids, Israeli forces have detained dozens of Palestinians, raising concerns that the release of prisoners under the ceasefire could be offset by more arrests.
Like Duaa, other families of freed prisoners are now grappling with the reality of what happens next.
When the mother of prisoner Ashraf Ammar first saw her son’s name on the release list, she felt a rush of joy immediately followed by fear. “I thought, ‘Will he really be released? And if he is, will he be deported?’” she recalled.
For Ashraf’s mother, the reunion was marked by worry. “I don’t want anyone to dance or sing. I want my son in my arms and next to me,” she said.
Meanwhile, ongoing settler attacks and military incursions have left many Palestinians in the West Bank fearing the same devastation as in Gaza, as human rights groups warn of widespread abuses that further undermine hopes for lasting peace.
This tension — between the joy of reunion and the uncertainty of what comes next — reflects the lives of many families of freed prisoners. As the ceasefire holds, they hold their breath.
As for Amina, she remains focused on rebuilding her life with her husband. “We have suffered so much,” she reflected. “But we will not give up. This is a new beginning for us, for Palestine, and for all the families who are still waiting.”
Aseel Mafarjeh is a West Bank-focused journalist, focusing on stories that speak of the challenges and creativity of youth in Palestine
This piece was published in collaboration with Egab
