On Saturday, Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for four Israeli soldiers held hostage by Hamas. The prisoners were released from Israeli jails, including Ofer Prison in the West Bank, and some had been serving life sentences for their involvement in attacks against Israelis. While Israel views these prisoners as terrorists, many Palestinians see them as freedom fighters who resisted Israeli occupation or as victims of the ongoing conflict.

In Ramallah, hundreds of Palestinians gathered to celebrate their return. Some of the freed prisoners were carried by crowds chanting in support. Mohammad Arda, one of the prisoners, expressed his thoughts about the high cost of their freedom and remembered those who had died in prison.

Earlier, Israel had also released 90 Palestinian prisoners—mainly women and minors—in exchange for three female Israeli hostages. This latest release included people convicted of serious crimes, including murder, such as the three men who were involved in bombings in Israel in 2002. These men were responsible for attacks that killed civilians, including five Americans, and will be exiled abroad as part of the deal.

The release is part of a larger agreement between Israel and Hamas, which aims to ease tensions and lay the groundwork for a longer truce. Over 1,500 Palestinians are expected to be released as part of the deal, with more hostages also set to be freed.

This exchange highlights the deep divisions between Israelis and Palestinians. While Israel's actions are often framed as counterterrorism, many Palestinians view them as part of their resistance against occupation. The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict remains a source of global tension, with both sides suffering great losses over decades.