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Palestinian Arabs

Israel Releases 1,968 Palestinian Prisoners, Including 250 Serving Life Sentences

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A significant milestone in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the release of 1,968 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences, marks the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The prisoners were released in two batches, with the first comprising 96 prisoners freed from the Israeli occupation's Ofer Prison, and the second consisting of 154 prisoners serving life sentences, who were transferred from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, and 1,718 detainees from the Gaza Strip who were detained after October 7, 2023. This deal is the third of its kind since the outbreak of the genocide war, following the releases of 240 prisoners in November 2023 and 1,777 prisoners in January and February 2025.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli occupation forces released 1,968 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences, as part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
  • The releases come in two batches: the first includes 96 prisoners freed from Ofer Prison, and the second comprises 154 prisoners serving life sentences transferred from Gaza to Egypt, as well as 1,718 detainees from Gaza detained after October 7, 2023.
  • This deal is the third of its kind since the outbreak of the genocide war, following the releases of 240 prisoners in November 2023 and 1,777 prisoners in January and February 2025.
  • The total number of Palestinian prisoners released in the three deals is 3,985.
  • Since the outbreak of the genocide war, Palestinian prisoners have been subjected to crimes against humanity, including physical and psychological torture, deliberate starvation, and denial of medical treatment and healthcare.
  • Hamas has handed over the remaining Israeli captives to the Red Cross in two batches.
  • The number of detainees held inside Israeli jails exceeds 11,000, suffering from catastrophic and dire conditions, including torture, starvation, and systematic medical neglect.
  • The total number of Palestinian detainees sentenced to life imprisonment has reached 350, and 40 detainees have been indicted pending life sentences.
  • There are 53 female prisoners, including three from Gaza, along with two minors.
  • Approximately 400 child prisoners are held in Ofer and Megiddo prisons, while the number of detainees held without trial has reached approximately 3,380.

Statistics:

  • 1,968 Palestinian prisoners were released, including 250 serving life sentences.
  • 96 prisoners were freed from Ofer Prison.
  • 154 prisoners serving life sentences were transferred from Gaza to Egypt.
  • 1,718 detainees from Gaza were detained after October 7, 2023.
  • 3,985 Palestinian prisoners have been released in the three deals since the outbreak of the genocide war.
  • 11,000 detainees are held inside Israeli jails.
  • 350 Palestinian detainees have been sentenced to life imprisonment.
  • 40 detainees have been indicted pending life sentences.
  • 53 female prisoners are being held, including three from Gaza.
  • 2 minors are being held among the female prisoners.
  • 400 child prisoners are held in Ofer and Megiddo prisons.
  • 3,380 detainees are being held without trial.

Sources:

  • The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs
  • The Palestinian Prisoners' Club
  • The Kuwait News Agency
  • Palestinian prisoners' organizations

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