Hamas fighters, clad in full combat gear and signature black balaclavas, staged a dramatic handover of four Israeli female soldiers last Saturday.
The exchange unfolded in front of hundreds of Palestinians, who crowded onto rubble-strewn streets waving Hamas and Palestinian flags, scaling the wreckage of vehicles to witness the spectacle.
The release occurred under a six-week truce brokered by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, following over 15 months of intense conflict in Gaza. The four freed soldiers were handed over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at Palestine Square in Gaza City.
Israel responded by releasing 200 Palestinian prisoners, with some transferred to the West Bank while others crossed into Gaza. The swap is part of a broader agreement that will see Israel release around 1,900 Palestinian detainees in exchange for the gradual release of 90 Israeli captives by Hamas, including some seized nearly a decade ago.
Similar scenes took place on Thursday as hundreds of Palestinians gathered in Khan Younis in southern Gaza to watch the release of three Israeli and five Thai captives in exchange for 110 Palestinian detainees, the third such handover since the ceasefire.
Observers interviewed by The New Arab noted that the handovers, while obligatory under the truce’s terms, have been skilfully leveraged by Hamas as a display of strength and control over the enclave, aiming to counter rumours of a weakened position.
“It was a declaration that Hamas remains firmly in control, militarily and politically,” said Bilal Mahmoud, a political analyst. “Despite a brutal and extended war, they showcased operational cohesiveness that projected a sort of defiance in the face of an adversary that has sought to obliterate them.”
According to Mohamed, Saturday’s exchange was carefully choreographed, with militants standing in rigid formation and wielding Tavor rifles – standard weapons of Israel’s elite forces – in a deliberate show of strength.
At the centre of the scene, a table was positioned where a Hamas fighter and a Red Cross official formally signed the handover documents. Behind them, a banner in Hebrew prominently declared a provocative message: ‘Zionism Will Not Prevail’.
“This wasn’t a gesture of weakness,” said senior Hamas leader Mahmoud Mardawi in an interview. “It was a statement of legitimacy, strength, and the affirmation of Palestinian resistance.”
He added that the spectacle underscored Hamas’s ability to dictate terms, reinforcing its claim as the dominant force in Gaza after enduring over a year of relentless Israeli bombardment.
“It was psychological warfare,” said Ahmed Nasser, a political commentator. “Hamas wanted to send a powerful message to Israel: they are neither defeated nor diminished.”
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Israel’s reaction was swift and scathing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, already embattled by widespread criticism over his handling of the conflict, faced fresh outrage from opposition figures and the public alike. The scenes from Gaza were seen as a stark symbol of Israel’s inability to dismantle Hamas, despite extensive intelligence and military operations.
“This just shows how profoundly the government has failed,” an Israeli political analyst, who asked to remain anonymous, told The New Arab. “Netanyahu promised strength, and now Israelis are seeing the exact opposite.”
The analyst added that the public demonstration has bolstered Hamas’s support base while increasing pressure on the Israeli leadership.
“The sight of Israeli soldiers being returned on Palestinian terms, surrounded by armed militants, has heightened concerns over the Israeli army’s effectiveness and exposed potential intelligence failures,” he said.
The political fallout in Israel saw intensifying calls for Netanyahu’s resignation, who faced relentless criticism, with commentators noting that the agreement, intended to project strength, instead underscored failures in both negotiation and security, the analyst added.
But while Hamas’s military parades have drawn global attention and galvanised its supporters, not everyone viewed it as a victory. Critics, including Palestinian political analyst Nasser Abu Zeid, raised concerns about the long-term consequences of such a display of force.
“The exaggerated displays of military might only fuel further Israeli hostility toward Gaza,” Abu Zeid said. “This doesn’t serve the interests of Gazans, who are desperate for solutions to their immediate needs, including rebuilding their homes, accessing basic necessities, and finding political stability.”
The enduring image of Hamas dictating the terms of a prisoner handover is expected to remain etched in the minds of Israelis, Abu Zeid added.
“This moment,” he continued, “will haunt Israeli politics and influence the trajectory of this conflict for years to come.”
He also argued that the theatrics might bolster Hamas’s image temporarily but do little to address the humanitarian and governance crises gripping Gaza, adding that these symbolic displays of victory do not alleviate “the suffering of over two million Palestinians” who are living in precarious conditions.
“Gazans are asking questions about their future. These stunts fail to answer these questions,” Abu Zeid added.
The aftermath of Saturday’s prisoner exchange also brought complications on the Israeli side. The Israeli military delayed the return of displaced residents to Gaza City and the northern regions, citing the continued captivity of one remaining hostage, Arbel Yehud, despite Israel’s prior agreement regarding the four hostages Hamas had released.
Yehud was released on Thursday, but Israel later announced it would temporarily suspend the release of Palestinian prisoners after a chaotic handover.
Abu Zeid says this is a part of Israel’s broader strategy to undermine Palestinian morale.
“This delay was calculated to spoil the celebratory mood in Gaza,” Abu Zeid noted. “It shows Israel’s reluctance to fully honour the agreement, which raises doubts about its future commitment.”
Despite the criticism, Hamas supporters have hailed the exchanges as a pivotal moment in their ongoing conflict with Israel. Yet, Abu Zeid urged a broader focus.
“The path forward requires more than symbolic victories,” he said. “It demands urgent reconstruction efforts, genuine political reform, and a vision that prioritises the dignity and well-being of the people.”
This article is published in collaboration with Egab
