Israeli Forces Raid Homes of Palestinian Detainees Due to Be Released in Swap Deal
Occupied West Bank (Quds News Network)- Israeli occupation forces have raided several homes of Palestinian detainees who are set to be released on Saturday from Israeli jails as part of the sixth prisoner exchange deal, under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
Local sources reported that Israeli forces have stormed several homes of Palestinian detainees who are set to be freed on Saturday in the occupied West Bank, including the homes of Abdulrahman Meqdad and Mousa Nawawra in Bethlehem.
According to the Prisoners’ Media Office, Israeli occupation forces have also summoned the father of detainee Nael Obaid from the al-Issawiya neighborhood in occupied Jerusalem to the Al-Maskobiya interrogation center, adding “this is part of a pattern of repeated summonses that coincide with the release of detainees, aiming to harass the family and threaten them with preventing any celebratory displays.”
In recent weeks, Israeli forces have conducted raids on the homes of Palestinian detainees scheduled for release as part of the prisoner exchange agreement.
On February 8, Israeli forces carried out dawn raids in various areas of the occupied West Bank, targeting the families of Palestinian detainees set to be released. The Israeli forces stormed several locations in Ramallah and surrounding areas, warning families against celebrating the release of their relatives. In the town of Silwad, the homes of detainees Raafat Hamed and Atef al-Salhi were raided, with soldiers issuing warnings to their families. Similarly, in the village of Kobar, the family home of detainee Shadi Barghouti was raided, and his father, Fakhri Barghouti, a former detainee, was reportedly beaten by soldiers and required hospital treatment for fractures. Other homes in Al-Am’ari Camp and Al-Bireh city were also targeted, with families receiving similar warnings.
Israeli occupation has repeatedly warned families against holding public celebrations upon the release of Palestinian detainees. The Israeli forces have threatened to re-arrest released detainees if they engage in such activities.
Israeli occupation is set to release 369 Palestinian detainees on Saturday as part of the prisoner exchange deal. They include 36 Palestinians who have been serving life sentences and 333 who were abducted in the Gaza Strip during the assault.
According to the list released last night, 24 detainees will be exiled from Palestine. Of those included in the sixth batch are 7 from occupied Jerusalem and 29 from the occupied West Bank.
The initial phase of the agreement, which spans 42 days, aims to exchange 33 Israeli captives for 1,900 Palestinians in three stages. So far, 18 captives have been released, including 5 Tahi nationals. In return, 766 Palestinian detainees have been freed from Israeli jails.
