Joyous Reunion: Palestinian Father Embraced After 22 Years

In Ramallah, the long-awaited reunion of families with 60 Palestinian prisoners, including Hussain Nassar, who spent 22 years in Israeli detention, brought a mix of joy and sorrow. As daughters Hedaya and Raghad hugged their father for the first time, the complex realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were palpably felt, with celebrations overshadowed by ongoing military tensions.

In Ramallah, jubilant scenes marked the release of around 60 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli detention, restoring the joy of family reunions but underscoring the ongoing complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Among those freed was 47-year-old Hussain Nassar, imprisoned for 22 years after participating in the second Intifada. His daughters, 22-year-old Hedaya and 21-year-old Raghad, adorned in traditional dresses from Nablus, expressed their overwhelming joy and relief.

This moment was particularly poignant for the younger daughter, Raghad, who declared it was impossible to articulate her feelings, having anticipated meeting her father her entire life. "This is the first time I will touch him. I will hug him. I cannot express my feelings," she shared, recounting that her father was arrested when her mother was pregnant with her.

The release took place within the fragile context of an ongoing ceasefire, which has seen a total of 110 Palestinian prisoners liberated, including women and children among those charged with minor offenses. However, 21 prisoners convicted of serious crimes, such as murder, were not permitted to return to the Palestinian Territories and were instead exiled to Egypt or neighboring countries.

A notable figure among the released prisoners was Zakaria Zubeidi, a former commander of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, who was greeted by cheers from supporters as he was carried through the streets. Although his freedom thrilled many, it also raised concerns about potential backlash from right-wing Israeli factions advocating for the resumption of hostilities against Hamas following the ceasefire's initial six-week phase.

Dr. Leila Abu Ghanam, governor of Ramallah and El Bireh, acknowledged the celebratory mood while also expressing concern over the ongoing Israeli military actions in the West Bank. "All Palestinians are happy about the release of the prisoners but we're sad about what is happening in the provinces at this very moment," she stated, highlighting the duality of joy and sorrow present at the event.

Despite the complicated landscape of the ongoing conflict, Dr. Ghanam affirmed her hope for peace. "If we had lost hope, Palestinians would have ended 75 years ago," she remarked. The next prisoner release, expected to coincide with the negotiation of Israeli hostages, is set for Saturday, continuing a complex dialogue in the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine.