From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Israel deploys preemptive crackdown on celebrations as Palestinians await freed prisoners
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF says troops are operating in the West Bank to prevent parades for the Palestinian prisoners being released now in the hostage deal with Hamas.
Troops have been carrying out “preemptive arrests” and dropping leaflets calling on Palestinians not to participate in the parades, the army says.
Soldiers also seized flags of terror groups and other objects that would have been used in parades, the IDF adds.
Footage from Ramallah shows crowds of families gathered to await the two buses of prisoners that departed from Ofir prison less than an hour ago, with scads of journalists on the scene and police in bright vests keeping public order.
LIVE: Buses with Palestinian prisoners arrive in Ramallah https://t.co/5SYjOJIUkt
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Earlier, clashes were reported between Palestinians and Border Police forces at the Beitunia checkpoint adjacent to Ofer Prison, just outside Ramallah.
In exchange for the three Israeli hostages released earlier today, Israel is freeing 110 Palestinian security prisoners, including 33 serving life sentences. Many of the prisoners are being released to the West Bank.
The Times of Israel Community.