RAMALLAH (AA) – Palestinian families on Wednesday celebrated the release of loved ones who had languished for years in Israeli prisons.
"I'm meeting my brother after 24 years of detention," West Bank resident Saber Abdallah Bani Hassan told Anadolu Agency. "My happiness is unmatched."
Earlier Wednesday, Israel released 26 Palestinian prisoners, including 21 from the West Bank and five from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Released detainees had languished in Israeli jails for periods ranging from 19 to 29 years.
Abdallah says his brother, Othman, was arrested by Israel in 1989 when only 16 years old.
"My brother lost his parents and two of his brothers while he was detained in Israel," Abdallah said bitterly. "But all the Palestinian people are his family now."
There are currently more than 5,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, including 14 women and 180 children, according to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.
The Israeli government had earlier approved the release of 104 long-serving Palestinian prisoners in four stages – to end on March 29 of next year – as part of a deal aimed at restarting stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.
The new releases bring the total number of recently freed Palestinian prisoners to 52.
In mid-August, Israel released a first batch of 26 Palestinian detainees, including 15 from the Gaza Strip and 11 from the West Bank.
The releases are meant to be a "goodwill gesture" on Israel's part.
- Awaited embrace
In the West Bank town of Jenin, Um Ahmad waited impatiently for her son, who she had not had a chance to embrace for the last 25 years.
"I thank God, who gave me the opportunity to hug my son and smell him before I die," the jubilant mother told AA.
"I've waited 25 years for this moment," she added. "His father died while Ahmad was in detention."
Mohamed Helmi Almawi, meanwhile, waited at the Erez checkpoint on the Gaza Strip's northern border to welcome his father.
"My father has sat in Israeli jails for 23 years," an ecstatic Helmi told AA.
"My family and I have been waiting so long for this," he added. "I just want to hug him and kiss his face."
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