Peace Deal Brings Hope as Israel Frees 2,000 Prisoners and Hamas Returns Israeli Captives
In a dramatic turn in the ongoing Gaza conflict, nearly 2,000 Palestinians were released from Israeli detention following a historic ceasefire deal brokered with the leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkiye. U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as a step toward lasting peace in the Middle East.
Upon their release, many former detainees spoke of harsh treatment in Israeli jails, including beatings, humiliation, and extreme deprivation. One former prisoner described Ofer Prison as a “slaughterhouse,” highlighting the severity of alleged abuse.
As part of the captives and prisoner exchange, 154 prisoners were exiled to Egypt, while Hamas returned all 20 surviving Israeli captives and handed over the bodies of four others.
The human cost of the war remains staggering. Since October 2023, Israel’s war on Gaza has resulted in at least 67,869 Palestinian deaths and 170,105 injuries, while attacks in Israel have killed 1,139 people and taken about 200 captives.
This exchange marks a critical moment in the conflict, offering a fragile glimmer of hope for peace while drawing renewed attention to human rights concerns in the region.