Amid escalating tensions and a relentless war in Gaza, both Palestinians and Israelis have expressed mixed reactions to the announcement of a brief truce and a captive-for-prisoners swap. The truce, brokered by mediator Qatar, will see Israeli captives held by Hamas being exchanged in stages with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. While there is excitement and anticipation surrounding the possible release and return of loved ones, there is also a sense of sadness and disappointment about the ongoing suffering in Gaza.
Maha Arafat, a mother from Nablus in the occupied West Bank, is eagerly awaiting the release of her daughter Maryam from an Israeli jail. However, she also reflects on the devastating impact of the war on Gaza, stating, “Sometimes I’ll say, I don’t want my daughter released. Just let Gaza be. We are so affected by what’s happening there.”
Under the agreement, Hamas will free 50 captives, while Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners. The truce is set to begin on Friday at 7 am (05:00 GMT), with the first batch of hostages, comprising 13 women and children, being released at approximately 4 pm (14:00 GMT) and handed over to the Red Cross. The release of Palestinian prisoners is also expected on Friday.
However, there remains uncertainty about which Palestinian prisoners will be allowed to leave and when, as the Israeli authorities hold the final say. Nisreen al-Titi, another woman from Nablus and sister of a Palestinian prisoner, expresses mixed emotions about her sister Aseel’s potential release. Aseel has been in prison for over a year after being accused by Israel of attempting to stab an Israeli guard while visiting her incarcerated brother. Despite the uncertainty, the family remains hopeful, acknowledging the changes Aseel will witness upon her release.
In a controversial move, Israel’s hardline Minister for National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has instructed the head of the country’s prison service, Katy Perry, to prevent celebrations within incarceration facilities upon prisoner releases. He has also urged the Israeli police commissioner to take strong measures against any support for terrorism or celebrations related to the swap. Critics argue that such actions restrict Palestinians’ ability to mourn or celebrate, leaving them with limited peaceful options to express their desires for freedom.
Reporting from Nablus, Zein Basravi highlights the tension among the families of Palestinian prisoners, particularly upon learning that no West Bank prisoners will be released as part of the deal. The uncertainty surrounding their loved ones’ fate consumes them, with excitement about the truce overshadowed by skepticism and fears of potential rearrests.
The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a staggering death toll, with over 14,500 people killed, including nearly 6,000 children, since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas’s assault stands at approximately 1,200. The release of some hostages in the captive-for-prisoners swap is expected to evoke both celebration and mourning in Israel, as many others remain in captivity.
As the truce begins, Gideon Levy, a columnist with Israeli newspaper Haaretz, raises critical questions about the future, asking how long the war will continue and what cost Israel is willing to bear. The coming days will reveal whether the truce leads to further escalation or a path towards resolution. Basravi reports that while people express gratitude for the ceasefire, they also fear that it may result in an uptick in raids in the occupied West Bank, adding to the already intensifying situation.
In conclusion, the announcement of a truce and a captive-for-prisoners swap in Gaza has evoked mixed reactions among Palestinians and Israelis. While there is hope for the release of loved ones, the ongoing suffering and uncertainty surrounding the fate of prisoners overshadow the sense of celebration. The truce raises questions about the future and the potential for further escalation or a path towards resolution in the region.
