Emotional scenes in West Bank and Gaza as Palestinians reunited with their families after release from Israeli prisons

8 February 2025, 17:23 | Updated: 8 February 2025, 17:30

Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip.
Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted by a crowd as they arrive in the Gaza Strip after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip. Picture: Alamy

By Josef Al Shemary

A total of 183 Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons on Saturday in the fifth swap of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Seven Palestinians had to be taken to hospital immediately after being freed, and others told of the horrific treatment they endured while imprisoned in Israeli jails.

The prisoners, who were being held in several prisons across Israel, were taken to Ramallah. More than 100 of them returned to Gaza.

One of the released Palestinians, a healthcare worker named Hussein Alhaj Hassan, likened the prison he was held in to the notorious Guantanamo Bay prison.

Read more: Protesters clash with police as thousands rally outside proposed site for new Chinese ‘mega-embassy’ in London

Palestinians released by Israeli forces brought to Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis
Palestinians released by Israeli forces brought to Gaza European Hospital in Khan Yunis. Picture: Getty

As he had an emotional reunion with his mother, he showed large scars on his legs, which he said were a result of beatings by Israeli prison guards.

“They took me along with dozens of people. My problem was I worked for the Ministry of Health. It’s been a year and one day – beatings, torture, and struggle in Ofer Prison,” Alhaj Hassan told Al Jazeera.

Read more: Hundreds gather for memorial march after 15-year-old Harvey Willgoose stabbed to death at school in Sheffield

“They blindfolded us and beat us – my hands – during interrogation. No medical treatment, no winter clothing. It was very harsh treatment. It was like we were in Guantanamo Bay prison.”

His mother told the publication that having her son back was the ‘best feeling’, and that she hopes “all the remaining prisoners will be released as well”.

Palestinians released during 5th round of prisoner-hostage swap between Hamas and Israel arrive at European Hospital
Palestinians released during 5th round of prisoner-hostage swap between Hamas and Israel arrive at European Hospital. Picture: Getty

“This is the most beautiful of days to see him alive. We didn’t know anything about his whereabouts.”

Other prisoners released had to be taken to hospital immediately “as a result of the brutality they were subjected to during the past months,” Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club NGO, told the AFP news agency.

One of the released Palestinians also told Al Jazeera: “For the past 15 months, we were exposed to the most brutal torture … the Israelis treated us in inhumane ways. They treated animals better than us.”

Read more: 'We won't gloss over the shocking scenes', warns Netanyahu as three freed by Hamas paraded on stage

One of the Palestinian prisoners released in the fifth hostage-prisoner swap under the Gaza ceasefire deal is embraced by his mother upon arrival at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip
One of the Palestinian prisoners released in the fifth hostage-prisoner swap under the Gaza ceasefire deal is embraced by his mother upon arrival at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip. Picture: Getty

Scores of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons showed signs of ‘unprecedented’ torture and starvation after they were released, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society.

Hadeel Shatara, a Palestinian who was released in the first swap on January 20, highlighted that all those who come out of different Israeli prisons tell the same stories of brutal treatment.

Read more: Donald Trump claims no US troops will be needed for his plan to turn Gaza Strip into 'Riviera of the Middle East’

“They turned these prisons into big brutal inhumane entities,” Shatara told Al Jazeera, after being held for seven months in Haifa prison.

“We were really mistreated. All the other prisoners released in the next exchange shared similar experiences. We women prisoners were dragged by our hair.”

Hamas hands over 3 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to Red Cross
Hamas hands over 3 Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip to Red Cross. Picture: Getty

Three Israeli hostages were released by Hamas this morning, and have also been reunited with their families.

The hostages, Eli Sharabi, 52; Ohad Ben Ami, 56; and Or Levy, 34, appeared thin and gaunt as they were paraded on stage by Hamas.

They were surrounded by gunmen as they were interviewed, reportedly calling for Israel to stop the war and for the ceasefire to hold.

Speaking after their release, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: "We will not gloss over the shocking scenes that we saw today."

Posting on X, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "After 491 days of agony, 3 more hostages - including Eli Sharabi who has strong UK links - have finally been released.

"They and their families have suffered an unimaginable ordeal.

"The ceasefire deal must be implemented in full, including the release of the remaining hostages."

It is the fifth swap of hostages for prisoners since the ceasefire began on January 19. Eighteen hostages and more than 550 Palestinian prisoners have already been freed in that time.

The first phase of the ceasefire calls for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 prisoners, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory.

Last week, wounded Palestinians were allowed to leave Gaza for Egypt for the first time since May.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, celebrates following the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Latvia at Wembley Stadium on March 24, 2025 in London, England.

Brilliant James free kick sees England continue 100% record under Tuchel after 3-0 win over Latvia

The most common cause of death among victims of domestic abuse was suspected suicide for the second year running, a new report shows.

More domestic abusers to be charged with manslaughter after partner ends own life, police say

Chris Stark attends The BRIT Awards 2025 at Intercontinental Hotel on March 01, 2025.

Capital Breakfast presenter Chris Stark reveals testicular cancer diagnosis, urging men to ‘check themselves’

Hamdan Ballal holds his Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for "No Other Land" during the 97th Annual Academy Awards.

Oscar-winning Palestinian director attacked by mob of Jewish settlers and arrested by Israeli military

Flights resume as Heathrow re-opens at Heathrow on March 22, 2025 in London, England.

Over 90 airlines threaten Heathrow with legal action after airport shut down due to substation fire

Marco Rubio, US secretary of state, from left, US President Donald Trump, and Pete Hegseth, US secretary of defense.

Trump's team make MAGA mistake after revealing secret war plans to journalist accidentally added to group chat

Amen T

Second boy charged with murder of 15-year-old found dead in Glasgow street

University students march across Galata bridge during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and jailed

More than 1,000 arrested as protests continue to sweep Istanbul after Erdogan rival detained on corruption charges

Emergency services at the scene after an explosion at a building thought to be a gas leak, in Via Pio Foà and Via Vitellia, in Rome, Sunday, March 23, 2025.

Scottish tourist hospitalised with severe burns after explosion destroys three-storey building in Rome

Police hunting the alpaca attacker were seen at the scene on Sunday after four animals killed.

Police hunt alpaca attacker after four animals killed with fifth 'shot in the face' in 'highly distressing' incident

Ant Middleton gives a speech at the Reform Party 2024 Conference

TV star Ant Middleton banned as director at own company over £1m unpaid tax

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak during joint press conference with Czech Rebublic's President Petr Pavel in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky).

Zelenskyy claims US officials influenced by Russia - as Kremlin confirms Putin portrait gift to Trump

Bayford won a whopping £148million EuroMillions jackpot with then-wife Gillian in 2012.

EuroMillions jackpot winner scraps plans to build children's theme park on country estate

d

Three gangsters guilty of botched bid to murder mastermind behind Britain's biggest robbery

Annie Kilner has admitted having mobile phone behind wheel of her £70,000 Mercedes

Kyle Walker's wife fined after pleading guilty to using phone behind wheel of her car

University of London Queen Mary College Queens Building in Mile End Road London

Students left horrified after camera discovered under desk at university