Parades in West Bank, chants in Gaza, Hamas flags in East Jerusalem: Palestinians celebrate released terrorists

Palestinian security prisoners freed as part of a hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas are greeted by a crowd after their release, Ramallah, January 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
Palestinian security prisoners freed as part of a hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas are greeted by a crowd after their release, Ramallah, January 25, 2025.(AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip celebrate the release and arrival of Palestinian security prisoners, many of whom were jailed for murderous terrorism, who were freed earlier today as part of the first phase of a hostage-ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

A video posted to social media shows a celebration in the West Bank city of Ramallah, with Palestinian Islamic Jihad member Mohammed al-Arida seen being carried on the shoulders of men in the crowd.

Al-Arida is one of 200 Palestinian security prisoners, including dozens serving life sentences for murder and terror, who were released today in exchange for four female IDF soldiers held by terrorists in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

According to Hebrew media reports, the Palestinian Authority has so far been largely successful in preventing both violence and support for terror groups during the West Bank celebrations. Palestinian national flags and flags of the Fatah faction that dominates the PA can be seen in photos and videos from the West Bank.

However, in the village of Aqab in East Jerusalem, Hamas flags have been seen during a celebratory procession.

Before the implementation of the ceasefire-hostage deal on Sunday, Defense Minister Israel Katz instructed the IDF to prevent celebrations and parades by Palestinians during the releases of security prisoners.

Channel 12 news reports that prisoners freed to Gaza are being greeted with chants of, “We are the people of Muhammad Deif,” referencing Hamas’s shadowy military chief, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in the Strip in July.

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