September, Friday 20, 2024

Teenager released from custody after sustaining injuries in the recent Palestinian prisoner release


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In the latest exchange for hostages being held in Gaza, 39 Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons. This brings the total number of Palestinians released since the first swap on Friday to 117. The agreement between Israel and Hamas has also seen 40 Israeli hostages, who were taken on 7 October, returned. A final exchange is expected on Monday, and it is possible that the deal could be extended. Among the newly released prisoners is teenager Mohammed Al-Awar, who spent 16 months in jail. Despite being overjoyed at seeing her son again, his mother expressed mixed feelings due to the high number of casualties in Gaza. Another teenager named Abdurahman Al-Zaghal was also freed, but he was not present with the others as he is currently receiving medical treatment in an Israeli hospital. Al-Zaghal was injured in August when he was shot in the head and hit by shrapnel while going out to buy bread, according to his uncle. He was accused by Israeli authorities of trying to throw a petrol bomb on a settlement post in the area. Al-Zaghal's trial was held in absentia as he was still in intensive care. On Sunday, he was seen removing an electronic bracelet from his leg. The release of the prisoners has been met with large celebrations in the West Bank, where the detainees are initially returning to. Israel has compiled a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners, mostly teenage boys, who are eligible for release under the agreement with Hamas. According to the deal brokered with the assistance of Qatar, Hamas was to release 50 Israeli hostages - women and children - over four days during a ceasefire in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. So far, 40 Israeli hostages and 19 foreign nationals have been freed. Israel has said it may extend the ceasefire if at least 10 Israelis are released daily. However, the government has also stated its aim to eliminate Hamas and maintains that any pause in attacks is only temporary. Hamas has expressed its desire to extend the agreement and release more hostages. A senior Palestinian official involved in the negotiations in Qatar has informed mediators that the group is willing to extend the pause by two to four days, which could result in the release of an additional 20 to 40 Israeli prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the framework of the deal as a positive development and hinted that it may be extended. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman has stated that in order to secure an extension, Hamas would need to locate dozens of hostages held by other groups in Gaza. It is believed that many of the approximately 240 people kidnapped in the 7 October attacks are being held by Hamas, but other groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad may also have hostages. Israel claims that 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the 7 October raid, while Hamas alleges that nearly 15,000 people have died, including many children. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with a desperate need for aid supplies such as food, water, and hygiene kits.