
Palestinian security prisoners arrive at the Ofer Prison in the West Bank, outside of Jerusalem, from where they were set to be released as part of a hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, January 19, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL | Published January 20, 2025
Israel has released the first batch of 90 Palestinian security prisoners in exchange for the three hostages released from Gaza, the Israel Prisons Service says.
Palestinian reports say some have been taken to Ramallah and their East Jerusalem homes.
Ahead of the return of the Israeli hostages, the IPS bussed the first round of Palestinian prisoners to Ofer Prison in the West Bank, where Israeli security forces and Red Cross representatives verified each prisoner’s identity and performed medical checks on them before releasing them in coordination with security forces and the government.
The prisoners include 78 West Bank residents, released at the Beitunia Checkpoint near Ofer Prison.
The remaining 12 East Jerusalem residents were transported back to the city and released back to their homes from the Russian Compound detention center.
Those released today include 69 women — including one minor — eight male minors, and 12 men sentenced for relatively minor offenses like incitement, identifying with terrorism and disorderly conduct, according to Ynet.
A total of almost 2,000 inmates are planned to be released during the first phase of the ceasefire deal.
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SOURCE: www.timesofisrael.com
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The ceasefire will see Gaza hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israel freed.
3 Israeli hostages released from Hamas The three young women — Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher — were released as part of the fragile ceasefire deal.
Published January 20, 2025
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect on Sunday morning. Hostages held in the strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails will be freed in the first phase of the deal.
Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.
Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.
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SOURCE: www.abcnews.go.com
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