A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
Hamas released hostages to bring peace to Gaza in exchange for Israel's release of nearly 2,000 prisoners and detainees. When buses carrying some of those released Palestinians traveled into Gaza and the occupied West Bank yesterday, they were met with cheers and tears. NPR's Carrie Kahn has this report in which we warn you - you will hear gunfire.
(SOUNDBITE OF GUNFIRE)
CARRIE KAHN, BYLINE: The huge crowd waiting at the Nasser Medical Complex in southern Gaza erupted into celebratory gunfire as buses carrying more than 1,700 Palestinian detainees made their way slowly through the throngs of people. Jou Saeed Hamdeen (ph) stepped off the bus. He says he was detained in December of 2023, just months after the war started. Like all of those released yesterday, he was never charged. Israel says they are, quote, "unlawful combatants." He's 38 and says he was born in 1987.
JOU SAEED HAMDEEN: (Non-English language spoken).
KAHN: "But I'm not observing that birth date anymore," he says. "I've been reborn today." He says he cannot describe the happiness he's feeling. But like so many, he quickly turns to all he's lost and all that Gaza has lost.
A smaller scene of returned prisoners was taking place in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where dozens of Palestinians serving long and life sentences in Israeli prisons were also released.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Mama.
KAHN: Authorities warned families not to celebrate. The family of prisoner Ra'ad Abu-Daher (ph) were given a personal warning.
FATMEH: (Non-English language spoken).
KAHN: The night before the release, his mother, 64-year-old Fatmeh (ph), says some 20 Israeli soldiers broke into their homes and threatened them. They were told not to celebrate or speak to the media, and she says they beat up one of her sons. In the end, her son Ra'ad was not released. He was deported like most of the 250 prisoners with life sentences. According to the Israeli police authority, her son was convicted of being an explosives engineer and coordinator of terrorist attacks. He's been in prison for more than two decades, and now he is in Egypt, she says.
(SOUNDBITE OF VEHICLE BEEPING)
KAHN: At the Istishari Arab Hospital in Ramallah, Dr. Loway Abu Rayya (ph) attends to 12 of the prisoners brought here after the release. All are malnourished, he said, and reintroducing food has to be managed carefully.
LOWAY ABU RAYYA: The first thing we told them is to start just a small amount of food and then gradually to start eat much slowly.
KAHN: Many had scars, bruising and signs of healed broken bones, he says. When asked by NPR about the condition of prisoners, Israeli prison officials said all were treated in accordance to the law.
ABU EZ EL: (Non-English language spoken).
KAHN: This man, who only gave his nickname Abu Ez El (ph) for fear of retribution from Israeli officials, said his family is making him eat, but he has no appetite. He was in jail for nine years and says he lost half his body weight. He's gaunt, pale and his eyes sunken. He says his only taste now is for freedom and, he hopes, peace too.
Carrie Kahn, NPR News, Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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