A father in Gaza rejoices as his son is freed from Israeli prison, marking the start of a large-scale exchange involving nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and the remaining Israeli captives.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

A Palestinian father, Yasser Abu Azom, in Gaza is celebrating the release of his 23-year-old son, Mohammed, from an Israeli prison. Mohammed was detained in December 2023, resulting in over a year of separation from his family. Yasser, who was also previously detained, described his joy at being reunited with his son as greater than when he himself was released. The release is part of a larger group of 1,700 Palestinian prisoners being freed, though not all families were able to access the list due to limited internet and phone access. The reunion is especially significant as Mohammed will meet his younger brother for the first time, who was born during his imprisonment. Many Palestinian families are gathering in anticipation of similar reunions as the prisoner release continues.

Palestinian father celebrates son’s release as prisoner swap begins

And what have we got for us? Well, more families are coming and more families are coming after they saw the list of the 1,700 Palestinian prisoners that are going to be free today. Now, let me highlight the fact that not everyone was able to see the list because most of the Palestinians do not have internet or phones, but we have Yasser Abu Azom, and he himself has been Arrested and freed by the Israeli forces his son 23 year old Mohammed is going to be freed today after he was arrested in December 2023, so we're talking about more than a year of Separation let me first ask you My feeling is indescribable And I hope our Joy would be complete by the release of all the Palestinian prisoners behind the Israeli bars I thank God for the release of my son You yourself Were detained by the Israeli occupation forces and you have been through the same agony, how can you describe? Especially that your son is going through the same pain I was arrested by with my son in the same sheltering school in 2023 for two years almost I haven't seen him My joy today is much higher than the joy. I had on the day. I was released I will be reunited with my son and I again pray for the release of all the Palestinian. Excuse me I'm not able to speak properly because my overwhelmed with joy Thank you for talking to us Last question, what is the first thing you will do once you join you're joined with your son I don't know. I will start hugging him kissing him I haven't seen him for two years and he has a Young brother who he hasn't seen he was born while my son was in the prison We will be joined reunited and will spend days in joy Thank God So this is one of the stories of the Palestinian prisoners, so Hamad was arrested in a school along with his father He was separated from his family and also from his father. His his wife gave birth to her To his child. He didn't see his child. He is going To be released today. Now. We see Palestinians clapping There is an emotion a lot of emotions today There is a lot of anticipation today and a lot of Palestinian families are still coming on the way waiting for their beloved ones And thank you at the hospital in Khan Eunice

Israeli officials have confirmed that all 20 living captives have been released in Gaza.

Israel confirms all 20 living captives in Gaza have been released

The carefully choreographed Israel-Hamas exchange is underway, with Israel set to release around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners following the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza. Noga Tarnopolsky reports from Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.

Middle East Conflict

Israel-Hamas swap begins as 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set for release

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Breakdown