Israeli and Palestinian leaders exchanged hostages this weekend during a ceasefire that is being called temporary. The number of prisoners exchanged on both sides has been inconsistently reported. Reports say that between 39 and 58 hostages were freed by Hamas to Israel and between 40 and 120 hostages were freed by Israel to Palestinians.
At least 18 of the freed Hamas prisoners were foreign nationals, mainly from Thailand. The hostages reported that they were fed meals of bread and rice and had long wait times for the bathrooms. An 85 year-old woman who was freed before the ceasefire said that she was well treated and given medical care but at least one hostage freed this weekend was rushed to the hospital because her pre-existing condition had not been treated properly in captivity, according to the hospital director. This video of young girls being returned to their parents will tug at your heartstrings no matter how you feel about this conflict.
The conditions in which Israel has held the 150 political prisoners has received very little coverage. So far those released included 15 teenage boys and 24 women. Israel regularly uses “administrative detention” tactics to hold prisoners without charge or trial for up to six months or longer.
The ceasefire is set to expire shortly but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will resume its attack on Gaza “with full force.” Yet he is facing a popular uprising that is calling for his resignation. Massive anti-Netanyahu crowds gathered this weekend outside his residence calling for his resignation. Protestors say that he was responsible for the October 7 attacks and in fact even the Washington Post somewhat surprisingly admits that the Prime Minister supported Hamas instead of working to broker true peace.
