From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Israel confirms prisoners released as Palestinians celebrate
The Israel Prison Service confirms that it released 110 Palestinian prisoners.
It says inmates being sent to the West Bank and East Jerusalem were released from Ofir prison near Ramallah, while other prisoners were freed from Ketziot prison in southern Israel and brought to the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza, which also sits near the Egyptian border.
“Prison service troops are operating to release terrorists in line with the diplomatic deal for the return of the hostages, while in full coordination with all security services,” it says in a statement.
Dozens of Palestinian prisoners are released in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to a welcoming crowd in the third round of the prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel pic.twitter.com/7mfrnc6YtE
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 30, 2025
In Ramallah, massive crowds greet the dozens of former inmates brought to a community center, lifting them on their shoulders in celebrations. At least one former prisoner is seen sporting a Hamas headband.
The Times of Israel Community.