RAMALLAH, West Bank — This week, Dania Hanatsheh found herself amidst a crowd of jubilant Palestinians in Ramallah after her release from an Israeli prison, a moment filled with conflicting emotions. Having spent nearly five months in detention, it was not the first time the 22-year-old was freed through an agreement between Israel and Hamas, aimed at reducing hostilities in Gaza.
While ecstatic to regain her freedom, Hanatsheh also felt a profound sadness regarding the turmoil in Gaza and experienced an unsettling uncertainty about her future, given the pervasive climate of fear within her community. “Palestinian families are ready to face arrest at any moment,” she expressed, highlighting a sentiment of helplessness that resonates among many in her situation. Hanatsheh was among the 90 women and girls released by Israel as a part of a ceasefire agreement, which also aims to facilitate the release of hostages and boost humanitarian aid to Gaza.
This ongoing situation involves nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set to be released under the terms of the ceasefire, which is designed to halt the conflict for six weeks. The detainees include individuals arrested for offenses ranging from throwing stones to committing serious acts of violence against Israelis. Hanatsheh’s initial arrest occurred in November 2023, shortly after the war commenced following Hamas’ attacks. She was released days later during a temporary ceasefire, which saw the release of numerous Palestinians in exchange for hostages taken by Hamas.
Her second arrest in August was marked by a dramatic raid where Israeli troops forced entry into her home. Despite the gravity of her situation, she spent both periods of imprisonment without receiving any explanation regarding the reason for her detention. According to a list from Israel’s justice ministry, her detention was attributed to “supporting terror,” though Hanatsheh has faced no formal charges, nor does she belong to any militant organization.
The experiences of Hanatsheh are emblematic of the broader Palestinian reality, where nearly every family in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem has been affected by incarceration. The impact of such detentions can ripple through generations, resulting in family separations and diminished economic support. Since the war began 15 months ago, the number of Palestinians in Israeli custody has surged to over 10,000, including individuals from various regions such as Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Due to Israel’s policy of “administrative detention,” many prisoners remain in the dark regarding the reasoning behind their captivity, as they are often held without formal charges or trials. This practice permits detaining individuals based on undisclosed evidence, with only intelligence officers or judges privy to the details. Under the current ceasefire, newly released prisoners are assured they cannot be re-arrested on the same grounds or compelled to serve additional time for previous convictions. There are no provisions for them to sign any release documents.
Conditions for Palestinian prisoners have significantly declined since the onset of the war, with the former national security minister proclaiming that prisons would no longer serve as “summer camps.” Many released individuals have reported severe shortages of food and medical care while being subjected to cramped living conditions. Reports of mistreatment in Israeli prisons are commonplace, including accounts of physical abuse, pepper spray usage, and restricted family contact.
One of the prominent figures released, Khalida Jarrar, 62, has spent years incarcerated for her role in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Human Rights Watch has condemned her repeated detentions as part of a broader crackdown on peaceful opposition in Israel.
During a festive welcome event in Ramallah for the released prisoners, Jarrar interacted with supporters, yet there was an undercurrent of concern among some families who were uncertain if their loved ones would also be set free in the ongoing negotiations. The ceasefire marks the start of talks for a second phase involving additional hostages and further prisoner releases.
For Yassar Saadat, witnessing his mother’s release was bittersweet. His mother, detained since September under allegations of “security to the state,” was freed, but his father—a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine with a lengthy prison term—remains in custody. “We hold onto hope,” Saadat said.
Unresolved questions linger regarding the fate of some long-term prisoners. Under the agreed ceasefire terms, those convicted of violent crimes face exile if released, leaving families uncertain about possible reunions.
The release of prisoners convicted of severe crimes is a point of contention among Israelis, particularly among those who have lost loved ones to violence. Micah Avni, whose father was killed by a Hamas operative in 2015, revealed mixed emotions. While he is grateful for the freedom of hostages, he holds reservations about long-term peace prospects, fearing that released prisoners may return to violence.
Israeli leaders have a history of engaging in unequal trade-offs regarding prisoners versus hostages, as demonstrated during a previous exchange involving more than 1,000 prisoners for a single Israeli soldier.
As the conversations around prisoner exchanges continue, many Palestinian families prioritize the moment, cherishing their regained time together. Amal Shujaeiah, released after a lengthy detention for partisan activities at her university, expressed overwhelming joy upon returning home. “Today, I am with my family and friends, an indescribable joy… a moment of freedom that makes you forget the sorrow,” she declared.
