In a dramatic and highly contentious move, Israel released approximately 600 Palestinian prisoners overnight, including some of the most notorious terrorists in its custody. The mass release was part of a negotiated exchange for the remains of four Israeli hostages who had been held and murdered by Hamas. Among those freed were high-profile individuals convicted of heinous attacks against Israeli civilians, including members of Hamas and other extremist factions.

The prisoners were originally slated for release last weekend following Hamas’ handover of six living hostages. However, Israel postponed the release in response to Hamas' continued psychological warfare—specifically, the practice of parading hostages before cheering crowds during handovers. In one of the most grotesque instances, Hamas forced two hostages to witness the release of prisoners who had been held alongside them, filming their emotional breakdown and broadcasting it on social media. To prevent further exploitation of hostages' suffering, Israel insisted that the remains of the four murdered individuals be transferred without any public display—a non-negotiable condition that Hamas ultimately agreed to.

The Details of the Prisoner Release

Israel released the 600 prisoners, but the Palestinian Prisoners’ Association, an advocacy group for current and former detainees, noted that Israel retained 24 prisoners captured in Gaza following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre. This group includes 23 males, aged 15 to 19, and one 35-year-old woman, many of whom were identified in videos looting, vandalizing Israeli homes, and, in some cases, stepping over the bodies of murdered civilians as they stole their belongings. Some were confirmed as Hamas operatives actively participating in the rampage, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, the vast majority of whom were civilians. The withheld prisoners are expected to be released later in the week, along with additional minors and one woman added to the list at a later stage.

Israel regards these prisoners as terrorists, while Palestinian factions portray them as freedom fighters resisting what they claim is an Israeli "military occupation"—a misleading narrative that ignores Israel's legal entitlement to the land following its defensive victory in the 1967 Six-Day War. In reality, Jordan and Egypt relinquished any claims to the territory after their forces retreated in that war, making Israel’s administration of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza a matter of legal sovereignty rather than occupation.

The giveaway that Palestinians didn’t think of terrorists in Israeli jails as “hostages” until they themselves took hostages is that they have a “Palestinian Prisoners’ Office” and forgot to rebrand it as “Hostages.”

Propagaza is so transparent. pic.twitter.com/Ecs2gHMv0r

— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) February 26, 2025

The Israeli Judicial System and the Reality of Palestinian Prisoners

Nearly every Palestinian family has a relative who has been imprisoned by Israel, a stark testament to the pervasiveness of extremism in Palestinian society. Many detainees are convicted in military courts, which, contrary to claims by rights organizations, provide extensive legal protections and due process. Israel’s judicial system adheres to international democratic standards, which is why the country is included in alliances such as the OECD and maintains close security cooperation with NATO. Some prisoners are held in administrative detention—a preventive measure used to thwart imminent attacks while safeguarding sensitive intelligence. This intelligence is often released once it is no longer classified, proving that the policy is not arbitrary but a necessary security measure.

Who Were the Most Notorious Prisoners Released?

Among those freed were some of the most notorious and unrepentant terrorists in Israel’s custody:

• Nael Barghouti (68) – A Hamas-affiliated terrorist, falsely labeled as the "world’s longest-serving political prisoner" by biased international sources. First arrested in 1978 for murdering an Israeli bus driver, Barghouti was released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner swap, only to be re-arrested in 2014 for renewed terrorist activity. He was deported.
• Bilal Abu Ghanem (31) – Convicted of killing three Israelis in a 2015 Jerusalem bus attack. A Hamas operative, he was serving three life sentences plus 60 years. He was deported.
• Ammar al-Ziben (50) – Responsible for a 1997 Jerusalem market bombing that killed 16 people, including a U.S. citizen. Sentenced to 27 life terms, he was affiliated with Hamas and engaged in bomb-making and weapons smuggling. He was deported.
• Ahmed Barghouti (48) – A close associate of convicted terrorist leader Marwan Barghouti, he was given 13 life sentences for commanding terror cells that murdered Israelis. He was sent to Egypt.
• The Sarahneh Brothers – Three men from East Jerusalem involved in planning and coordinating suicide bombings during the Second Intifada. Two were released into Judea and Samaria, while the third was deported to Egypt.
• The Aweis Brothers – Members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, a militant group affiliated with Fatah. Both had been in prison for over 20 years for orchestrating bombings and other attacks. One was released to Judea and Samaria, while the other was deported to Egypt.
• Iyad Abu Shakhdam (49) – A Hamas operative sentenced to 18 life terms for planning the 2004 Beersheba bus bombings that killed 16 Israelis, including a 4-year-old child. He was deported.
• Jamal al-Tawil (61) – A Hamas political leader involved in organizing suicide bombings and riots. He was freed in Ramallah.
• Mohammed el-Halabi (47) – Former director of World Vision’s Gaza branch, accused of funneling millions to Hamas. He denied the charges, but Israeli intelligence revealed substantial evidence. He was released on February 1.
• Zakaria Zubeidi (49) – A former terrorist commander turned so-called "cultural activist." He gained infamy for escaping an Israeli maximum-security prison in 2021, tunneling out with a spoon. He was rearrested and sentenced to five years. He was released into Judea and Samaria.
• Mohammad al-Tous (67) – Previously the longest-serving prisoner in Israel, arrested in 1985 for engaging in armed conflict with Israeli forces. He was deported.

  Cairo Honors Deported Palestinian Terrorists with Sinwar Tribute
  
  An honoring ceremony was held in Cairo last night for deported Palestinian security prisoners. They were presented with plaques featuring the image of Yahya Sinwar, inscribed with the dedication: “In appreciation… pic.twitter.com/6TH3dbBE05

  — Open Source Intel (@Osint613) January 28, 2025

Conclusion: A Controversial Deal with Uncertain Consequences

Israel’s decision to release such a large number of convicted terrorists remains a bitter pill to swallow for many Israelis, particularly the families of those murdered in terror attacks. The government justified the move as a necessary step to recover the remains of four hostages, yet it is clear that the release of these prisoners poses a significant security risk. Hamas will undoubtedly exploit this development for propaganda, hailing these murderers as "heroes" and reintegrating them into their ongoing campaign of terror.

For Israel, the reality remains stark: while it fights to recover its hostages and safeguard its citizens, it continues to face international pressure to make concessions that only embolden its enemies. As history has shown, the cycle of prisoner exchanges has done little to deter future attacks, raising troubling questions about the long-term consequences of such deals.