From the Exchange Square to the Media Headlines | How Did Hamas Conquer Imagery?
On Saturday, the second phase of the prisoner exchange between Hamas and the Israeli regime was completed amid celebrations and dancing by the Palestinian people and the presence of resistance fighters.
In this phase, Hamas handed over four Israeli female soldiers, Karina Aref, Daniel Gilboa, Nema Levi, and Liri Al-Baja, to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In return, the Israeli regime released 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment and 80 people with serious sentences, of whom 114 were transferred to Ramallah, 16 to Gaza, and 70 to Egypt.
The exchange took place under the supervision of international institutions and with the mediation of countries such as Egypt and Qatar. The Qatari Foreign Ministry announced in a statement that the handover of the four Israeli female soldiers in exchange for the release of 200 Palestinian prisoners had been completed.
During this exchange, Palestinian resistance forces, especially the Qassam Brigades, had a large presence at the prisoner exchange site and demonstrated their strength by holding military parades in the streets of Gaza.
The exchange was widely welcomed by the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, and public celebrations and joy were held in these areas.
Thousands of people gathered in the city of Ramallah to welcome the freed prisoners, raising Palestinian and Hamas flags and chanting slogans in support of the Qassam Brigades.
The celebration also spread to the villages and towns of the West Bank, where the freed prisoners were welcomed by thousands of Palestinians, chanting slogans such as “Salute to the Izz al-Din Brigades” and “Hate the sword for the sword, we are the men of Muhammad al-Dif.”
In Gaza, the freed prisoners were met with enthusiastic public celebrations after undergoing medical examinations. One freed prisoner said: “We thank the people of Gaza; our freedom is thanks to the resistance, and we must protect it and remain united.”
In Ramallah, families and friends welcomed the freed prisoners with joy and sweets, praising them as heroes who had endured the harsh conditions of enemy prisons. Many of them thanked Hamas and the people of Gaza for this freedom.
These widespread receptions demonstrate the unity and support of the Palestinian people for the freed prisoners and their appreciation for the role of the resistance in achieving this freedom.
In response to this wave of joy and happiness, the Zionist regime’s security cabinet, which last week ordered a new army raid on the city of Jenin, mobilized security services to suppress Palestinian celebrations.