Abdullah Al-Zaghari: The deal restored hope to the old prisoners after years of political deadlock due to the Israeli far-right governments

Issam Bakr: The exchange deal breaks one of the most important restrictions imposed by the extremist occupation government, especially after the events of October 7

Hilmi Al-Araj: Defeat of the occupation’s attempts to break the will of the prisoner movement through policies of abuse, starvation, enforced disappearance, medical crimes and isolation

Sari Samour: What happened confirms that the release of prisoners, especially those with life sentences and long sentences, can only be achieved through exchange deals.

Yasser Manna: The return of prisoners in light of Ben Gvir’s resignation is a strong message to the occupying state that the policies of oppression will not succeed in achieving its goals

Samer Anabtawi: The deal gave a great morale boost to the Palestinian people and proved that the prisoner will be released despite the jailer, no matter how harsh the circumstances are.

The prisoner exchange deal between the resistance in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli occupation state restores hope to the families of the prisoners and to the prisoner movement, which is considered a victory for them and for the steadfastness of the people of Gaza, over the Israeli occupation government and especially the Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir, who personally supervised the torture of prisoners and freed prisoners in prisons.

Officials, writers, political analysts and specialists, in separate interviews with “I”, believe that this deal, which came under international sponsorship, not only stopped the genocide that the Gaza Strip was subjected to, but also broke the policies of repression and abuse followed by the Israeli far-right government, especially the policies of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the former Minister of National Security, who resigned following the conclusion of the deal.

They stress that the return of prisoners, including those serving life sentences and old prisoners, is a turning point in the Palestinian struggle, as it restores hope in the possibility of achieving freedom despite the great challenges. This deal was not just an exchange, but rather a defeat for the occupation policies that tried to break the will of the prisoner movement through torture, starvation and enforced disappearance.

They see that the prisoners who came out of the depths of prisons, with their heads held high, embrace freedom after long years of suffering, which reflects a legendary steadfastness that inspires peoples struggling for their freedom.

They point out that this deal has had a profound positive impact on Palestinian society. After a long period of suffering and anxiety over the fate of prisoners, their families began to feel reassured and hopeful for a better future. The deal also reminds us that the Palestinian struggle still holds within it the ability to achieve victories, no matter how violent the policies of oppression and tyranny are.

A great victory for the prisoner movement and the Palestinian people

The head of the Prisoners Club, Abdullah Al-Zaghari, confirms that the release of the first batch of the first stages of the exchange deal, which led to the liberation of a number of prisoners from Israeli occupation prisons, is a great victory for the prisoner movement and the Palestinian people.

He points out that this deal prompted Itamar Ben-Gvir, the founder of the "maximum pressure" theory, to resign, reflecting the failure of his repressive policies to break the will of Palestinian prisoners.

Al-Zaghari stressed that the release of prisoners in this batch is a historic event welcomed by the Palestinian people, who consider the issue of prisoners to be one of the central issues in their struggle for freedom and justice.

Al-Zaghari points out that this deal came to restore hope to the prisoners who were deprived of freedom for many years, in light of Ben Gvir’s policies that turned the prisoners’ lives into hell.

Al-Zaghari points out that Ben Gvir was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the policies of repression against prisoners, as he tried to pass projects related to executing prisoners, and confiscated all their human rights that were achieved with great sacrifices, as the prisoners made great sacrifices of their lives and bodies in order to live a dignified life inside the prisons, despite all the violations they were subjected to, and Ben Gvir's resignation came to confirm his failure in the face of their steadfastness.

Al-Zaghari asserts that what the prisons witnessed under Ben Gvir’s rule and under the Israeli aggression is beyond human reason, as the prisoners were subjected to crimes of starvation, medical crimes, and continuous assaults, including cases of rape and harassment, pointing to the testimonies given by the prisoners during the past months, which reveal unimaginable atrocities.

It is believed that this deal represents a qualitative shift in the process of liberating prisoners, as it constituted a victory over Ben Gvir’s liquidation projects against the prisoner movement.

Al-Zaghari points out that the liberation of prisoners during the time of genocide is a victory over the policies of repression and abuse pursued by Ben Gvir.

Al-Zaghari confirms that this deal restored hope to the families of prisoners, especially those with long sentences, who were deprived of freedom by the occupation and denied the agreements previously concluded between the Palestine Liberation Organization and the occupation government, especially with regard to the fourth batch of prisoners who were detained before the signing of the Oslo Accords.

Al-Zaghari confirms that the cessation of negotiations since that time led to a state of despair among the prisoners and their families, but this deal restored hope in the possibility of achieving freedom.

Al-Zaghari points out that this deal restored hope to the old prisoners after years of political deadlock due to the far-right Israeli governments, which are no longer partners for peace.

Al-Zaghari asserts that this deal is the beginning of the liberation of more prisoners, especially in light of the ongoing Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice. This deal is also a victory for the Palestinian people, and reflects the steadfastness of the prisoners and their invincible will.

The deal restores the Palestinian collective consciousness

Issam Bakr, Secretary of Foreign Relations and Media at the Supreme Commission for Prisoners and Freed Prisoners, confirms that the release of the first batch of male and female prisoners within the framework of the recent exchange deal represents a break in one of the most important restrictions imposed by the far-right Israeli government, especially after the events of October 7, 2023.

Bakr points out that this government has worked to create multiple forms of physical and psychological abuse of prisoners, in addition to a series of procedures and practices that violate human dignity.

Bakr asserts that the release of the prisoners represents a great victory for the prisoner movement, as the Israeli standards that used to classify prisoners under the name of “blood-stained hands” and “terrorism” have been broken, in an attempt to brand the Palestinian struggle as terrorism.

Bakr stresses that the prisoners are a result of the conflict and not a cause of it, stressing the need to stop practices that violate their human dignity.

Bakr explains that the current deal confirms the possibility of achieving freedom, as a number of prisoners have been released, including life prisoners, old prisoners, and the elderly, who have spent many years of their lives behind bars.

He points out that the exchange deal restores the collective consciousness of the Palestinian people, stressing that the will of the prisoners remains unbreakable, and that they represent a model to be emulated by peoples struggling for their freedom and independence.

Bakr confirms that Ben Gvir's resignation carries great implications that have shattered his dreams, as he used to enjoy torturing Palestinian prisoners, as he personally supervised torture operations in several Israeli prisons.

Bakr believes that Ben Gvir's resignation marks the end of a symbol of extremism and racism, who posed a danger not only to the Palestinians, but also to the occupying state itself.

Bakr confirms that Ben Gvir left humiliated in the face of the steadfastness of the Palestinian prisoner movement, which remains steadfast and unbreakable.

Bakr believes that Ben Gvir's resignation is an implicit admission of the failure of his policies of repression and torture, noting that the prisoner movement will remain at the forefront of the Palestinian struggle for freedom and independence.

Bakr points out that the release of prisoners came after a heavy price paid by the Palestinian people, as the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip left behind massive destruction and great human suffering, stressing that the legendary steadfastness of the people of Gaza was a major factor in achieving this deal, which is an important step towards restoring Palestinian rights.

Bakr stresses that the prisoner movement will remain a symbol of struggle and steadfastness, and that the will of the Palestinian people will remain stronger than all attempts at oppression and humiliation.

Bakr believes that the current deal is only the beginning of the liberation of more prisoners, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities in protecting the rights of prisoners and ending their suffering.

The deal is a practical response to Ben Gvir's policy

Director of the Center for the Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights "Hurriyat" Helmi Al-Araj confirms that the exchange deal and the announcement of the ceasefire are a real victory for the Palestinian people, who fought a fierce battle over the course of 15 months, during which they were subjected to the crime of genocide by the brutal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Al-Araj points out that reaching this agreement under international sponsorship means stopping the crime of genocide, which in itself is a great victory for the Palestinian people.

Al-Araj stresses that this victory is also embodied in the liberation of prisoners, including those serving life sentences, old prisoners, and prisoners of the Wafa al-Ahrar (Shalit) deal.

Al-Araj stresses that this deal is a defeat for the Israeli occupation’s attempts to break the will of the prisoner movement through policies of abuse, starvation, enforced disappearance, medical crimes, and comprehensive isolation.

Al-Araj explains that the moment of freedom has come for the prisoner movement, which has triumphed with its will over the will of the jailer, pointing out that this victory also includes the bodies of the martyred prisoners and the rest of the martyrs detained in the numbered graves or refrigerators, who were detained by the occupation authorities in an unparalleled, heinous war crime.

Al-Araj stresses that the Palestinian people and the families of the prisoners feel great joy, especially after the long suffering they have been subjected to due to the violations and crimes committed by the occupation authorities against the prisoners.

Al-Araj points out that this deal is a practical response to Ben Gvir's policy, which imposed a starvation policy to terrorize prisoners and their families, and attempted to terrorize the Palestinian people through slow killings.

Al-Araj stresses that this deal is a defeat for the racist and oppressive policies pursued by the Israeli occupation, pointing out that as long as the occupation exists, the prisoners will continue to exist, but this deal is a step on the right path towards the freedom of male and female prisoners and the freedom of the Palestinian people.

Al-Araj confirms that the deal has great positive effects on the Palestinian people, as everyone was living in a state of anxiety about their sons and daughters in Israeli prisons.

Al-Araj points out that the number of martyred prisoners since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on October 7, 2023 has reached 56 martyrs, as a result of systematic torture, in addition to the presence of other prisoners in a state of enforced disappearance, especially from the people of the Gaza Strip.

Al-Araj confirms that the entire Palestinian society was living in a state of anxiety for its sons and daughters in light of the policies of enforced disappearance, comprehensive isolation, torture and abuse.

Al-Araj points out that the starvation policy followed by the occupation was clear in the thin bodies of the prisoners, as some of them lost more than 30 kilograms of their weight.

Al-Araj confirms that this deal has begun to reassure the families of the prisoners, as the stages of their release began on Sunday, and that the anxiety has begun to gradually dissipate, not only by improving the conditions of detention, but also by achieving the freedom that those who have been in prison for 45 years or those who have life sentences have been waiting for.

Al-Araj confirms that this deal is a historic turning point, as the prisoners are freed from the depths of prisons and from the heart of the stone graves that the occupation wanted for them.

Al-Araj points out that the prisoners left with their heads held high, embracing freedom after long years of isolation, torture, abuse, and medical crimes.

The release of prisoners is a central and sensitive issue for the Palestinian people.

Writer and political analyst Sari Samour asserts that the return of prisoners to their families and their release from captivity is a central and sensitive issue for the Palestinian people, as it is linked to deep feelings in which emotion is mixed with a sense of victory, and its importance deepens with their release in the exchange deal.

Samour points out that the issue of prisoners is of great interest to Palestinians, as there is hardly a home without a prisoner, whether a relative, friend or neighbor, which makes it an issue that affects every individual in society.

Samour explains that the feelings of joy experienced by the Palestinian people on the occasion of the return of the prisoners are mixed with pain and sadness over the great sacrifices they have made, especially in the Gaza Strip, which paid a heavy price during the recent Israeli aggression. However, everyone hopes that the people of Gaza will live a dignified life and that the long-lasting siege will be lifted.

Samour points out that Ben Gvir's resignation constitutes a moral victory for the Palestinian people, noting that what happened confirms that the release of prisoners, especially those with life sentences, can only be achieved through exchange deals with the Palestinian resistance, which narrows the political options for releasing prisoners from prisons.

Samour believes that this deal confirms that resistance is the only way to liberate the prisoners, especially in light of the failure of Israeli policies to break the will of the Palestinian people, stressing that the return of the prisoners is a strong message that the Palestinian struggle will continue until freedom and justice are achieved.

Psychologically and morally, Samour asserts that the return of prisoners has a profound positive impact on Palestinian society.

Samour points out that the feelings of joy experienced by the Palestinian people are mixed with pain over the loss of loved ones, as many of the released prisoners will find that their sons or fathers have passed away.

Samour stresses that despite these sacrifices, the general feeling is one of optimism and hope, as the exchange deal restores hope that the prisoners will be released and break the prison bars, stressing that this return boosts the morale of the Palestinian people and restores their faith in their ability to achieve victories.

Samour points out that the Israeli occupation tried to curb the joy of the Palestinian people by releasing the female and young prisoners late after midnight, and yet these attempts did not succeed in hiding the great joy that the Palestinian people are experiencing on the occasion of the return of the prisoners.

Samour stresses that the return of the prisoners is a moral victory that restores hope to the Palestinian people, and confirms that the struggle for freedom and justice will continue until the major goals are achieved.

The return of prisoners is a pivotal moment in the Palestinian struggle

Writer and expert on Israeli affairs Yasser Manna asserts that the return of Palestinian prisoners to freedom, in light of the resignation of Itamar Ben Gvir, the founder of the "maximum pressure" theory, carries deep implications and meanings that are reflected on the political, psychological and social levels.

Manaa points out that this return of the prisoners represents a symbolic victory for the will of the Palestinian people and their steadfastness in the face of the oppressive policies of the occupation, and confirms the failure of attempts to subjugate the prisoners and break their resolve.

Manaa explains that the return of prisoners is a pivotal moment in the Palestinian struggle, as it strengthens the national spirit and collective morale, stressing that this return shows the Palestinians’ ability to achieve gains despite major challenges, which restores hope in the possibility of liberation from the restrictions of occupation.

Manna’ stresses that this moment is uniting Palestinian society around a central issue that embodies their shared suffering: the issue of prisoners, who are a symbol of struggle and steadfastness. Manna’ points out that the return of prisoners also demonstrates the Palestinians’ ability to negotiate from a position of strength, making it a reminder of the importance of national unity and continued resistance.

Manaa stresses that this return is a strong message to the occupying state that policies of oppression and pressure will not succeed in breaking the will of the Palestinian people.

Psychologically and morally, Manna’ asserts that the return of the prisoners has a profound positive impact on Palestinian society. This moment contributes to strengthening collective morale and reviving hope for freedom and liberation. The return of the prisoners also represents an end to a long period of suffering from anxiety and longing for their families, which restores their sense of security and stability.

Manaa stresses that seeing the released prisoners inspires Palestinian youth and deepens their belief in the struggle for legitimate rights.

Manna points out that this moment is a reminder that the Palestinian struggle still has the ability to achieve victories, no matter how violent the policies of oppression and tyranny are.

Regarding the resignation of Itamar Ben-Gvir, the founder of the “maximum pressure” theory, Manna describes it as reflecting the failure of these policies to achieve their goals.

Manaa points out that Ben Gvir relied on oppressive and violent policies in dealing with Palestinian prisoners, including torture, abuse, and medical neglect, stressing that his resignation is an implicit admission of the failure of these policies, which did not succeed in breaking the will of the prisoners or subjugating them.

Manaa stresses that the return of the prisoners in light of Ben Gvir's resignation is a strong message to the occupying state that the policies of repression will not succeed in achieving its goals, and that the Palestinian people will remain steadfast in the face of all attempts at subjugation.

Manaa stresses that the return of prisoners is not just a symbolic event, but rather brings about extended transformations on multiple levels.

Manaa points out that this return strengthens belief in the ability of the Palestinian struggle to achieve victories, and restores hope in the possibility of liberation from the shackles of occupation, stressing that this moment is a reminder that the Palestinian struggle still carries within it the ability to achieve victories, no matter how violent the policies of oppression and tyranny are.

Great lessons for the occupying state and the entire world

Writer and political analyst Samer Anabtawi confirms that the war that the Gaza Strip has witnessed over the past 15 months has taught great lessons to the occupying Israeli state and to the entire world.

Anbatawi points out that the Israeli far-right government, which dealt with arrogance, tyranny and force, failed to force surrender on an entire people, despite the massive destruction that befell Gaza.

Anbatawi explains that the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip was bloody by all standards, as tens of thousands were killed and more than 100,000 were injured, in addition to the destruction of infrastructure, buildings and daily life in the Strip. However, the legendary steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the resistance surprised the occupying state and the world, as Gaza thwarted the goals announced by the extremist occupation government.

Anbatawi points out that the current agreement, although it does not meet all the aspirations of the Palestinian people, is an important step, as those with long sentences and life sentences were released, in addition to the return of women and children as part of a major exchange deal.

Anbatawi asserts that this deal gave a strong boost to the resistance and the Palestinian people, while it represented a setback for the occupying state and its settlement dreams.

Anbatawi points out how the Israeli female prisoners were handed over, as the resistance dealt with them in a highly ethical manner, unlike the occupation’s treatment of the Palestinian prisoners.

Anbatawi points out that Ben Gvir's appointment as Minister of National Security has exacerbated the suffering of prisoners, as they have been tortured, starved, and deprived of the most basic necessities of life, including medical neglect and the spread of diseases in prisons.

Anbatawi points out that these repressive measures have become a major concern for the Palestinian people, who see prisoners as a symbol of struggle and steadfastness.

Anbatawi confirms that the deal and the release of prisoners gave a great moral boost to the Palestinian people, as it proved that the prisoner will be released despite the jailer, no matter how harsh the circumstances.

Anbatawi confirms that what happened in Gaza gives new hope to the prisoners that they will be released from the occupation's prisons.

Anbatawi points out that the deal confirms the continuation of resistance and steadfastness, which sends a strong message that the Palestinian struggle is legitimate and ongoing, and that the Palestinian people will not stop demanding their rights and freedom.

Anbatawi stresses that the lessons learned from this war will remain a milestone in the history of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as the Palestinian people have proven once again that their will is stronger than all attempts at oppression and humiliation.