As part of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, Amir Abu Raddaha was freed from Israeli prison after 23 years. He spoke to Mondoweiss about his time behind bars, and the horrific conditions of Palestinian prisoners since October 7.
Following a handover ceremony in Gaza for Israeli captives, during which one Israeli soldier kissed the heads of two Hamas fighters, an outraged Netanyahu suspended the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas politburo member Ismail Radwan tells Mondoweiss that Israel’s violation of the ceasefire’s humanitarian protocols “attempts to achieve what it could not achieve through its criminal war of extermination” in Gaza.
Scenes of celebration overtook the streets of Ramallah as the first group of Palestinian prisoners, mostly women, were released as part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal. Despite the joy many felt, tensions remain high in the West Bank.
Ceasefire negotiations have resumed in Egypt between Hamas and Israel. A new push for unity between rival Palestinian factions could offer a new path forward, but internal Israeli political strife could once again prevent a deal from taking shape.
Amid skepticism that Netanyahu intends to continue derailing a prisoner exchange deal for as long as possible, White House advisor John Kirby said the ceasefire talks that began on Thursday were “promising.”
The World Health Organization warned of mass starvation in Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli forces have killed 12 people in the West Bank in 48 hours.
Israeli protests demanding a prisoner exchange deal continue in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as Blinken discusses the proposal with Gantz and Gallant. Meanwhile, Gaza authorities say that thousands of children face death from starvation.
Palestinians brace for an invasion in Rafah as Hamas is expected to respond to a new ceasefire proposal. Meanwhile, Israel continues airstrikes on Gaza, and Gaza City’s municipality says that half of its water wells have been destroyed.
Thousands of Palestinian worshippers have been denied access to pray at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for Ramadan’s first Friday prayers, while Israeli forces have committed another massacre against Palestinian aid-seekers in Gaza City.