What’s happening:

Israel has engaged in a prisoner exchange with Hamas, releasing approximately 40 Israeli hostages in return for about three times as many Palestinian prisoners. This swap coincides with a temporary ceasefire between the conflicting parties.

Why it matters:

The nature of the individuals involved in the swap is a point of contention. The Israeli hostages are primarily women and children, while the released Palestinians have faced charges or convictions for violent crimes, including acts of terror.

The contrast:

Among the released Palestinians, there is a significant number of minors and women, but unlike the Israeli hostages, these individuals have been involved in criminal activities. Some of the Israeli minors are as young as babies and toddlers, highlighting the disparity in the profiles of the exchanged prisoners.

Profiles of some released prisoners:

Ragah Abu Kias, linked to Fatah, and Saadi Abu Adi, connected with Hamas, were both arrested as minors for violent acts against Jews. Marah Bechir, also associated with Hamas, was imprisoned for a stabbing attack on a border policeman. Others, such as Ahmed Marzouk and Amani Heshim, faced various charges ranging from assault to possession of weapons and explosives.

The scale of the exchange:

By the end of the initial four days of the ceasefire, 150 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released, with the number potentially reaching 300 if the ceasefire is extended. The offenses of these prisoners vary, with a minority having committed crimes with potentially lethal outcomes, and the majority being involved with terror groups in less directly harmful ways.

Background:

The prisoners were held in different Israeli facilities such as Damon, Megiddo, and Ofer prisons. The Justice Ministry had published a list of the prisoners in anticipation of the deal. The affiliations of the released prisoners span across various groups, including Hamas, Fatah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

The legal process:

Depending on their place of residence, the Palestinian detainees were tried or charged in military or civilian courts. This distinction is typically made between residents of the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Note:

This report has been contributed to by Joanie Margulies, providing insight into the complexities of the Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange dynamic.

This story was first published on jpost.