Israel frees 369 Palestinian terrorists as part of hostage deal

The distribution plan indicated that 334 prisoners were to be taken to Gaza, 24 faced deportation abroad, reportedly to Egypt, 10 were to be transferred to Judea and Samaria and one was to be sent to eastern Jerusalem.

By JNS

Israel released 369 Palestinian terrorists on Saturday in exchange for three Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

The prisoners were freed wearing sweatshirts featuring a Star of David and the phrase “Never forgive, never forget” in Arabic. Some discarded and burned the clothing.

This marked the sixth exchange as part of the ongoing ceasefire, which began on Jan. 19. With two weeks left in the first phase of the truce, a total of 21 hostages and over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners have been released so far.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, 333 of the released prisoners were from Gaza and were detained after Oct. 7, 2023.

The distribution plan indicated that 334 prisoners were to be taken to Gaza, 24 faced deportation abroad, reportedly to Egypt, 10 were to be transferred to Judea and Samaria and one was to be sent to eastern Jerusalem.

Thirty-six prisoners serving life sentences were among those released. Among them was Ahmed Barghouti, a close aide of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. Ahmed Barghouti was serving 13 life sentences for attacks that killed 12 Israelis during the Second Intifada [2000-2005], including the devastating bombing at Tel Aviv’s Seafood Market restaurant.

The release roster also includes Mansour Sharim, a prominent figure in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades in Tulkarem. Serving 14 life sentences, Sharim orchestrated numerous attacks against Israelis during the Second Intifada.

His conviction encompasses intentional causing of death and attempted murder charges. According to Israeli Justice Ministry records, he too was facing deportation.

Another significant release involves Mansour Mokdeh, a Fatah member imprisoned since 2002. Serving a 30-year sentence for weapons possession and murder, Mokdeh was slated for permanent deportation.

Palestinian media sources also indicated the imminent release of Shadi Abu Shahadam, who played a key role in planning and executing the 2002 Mahane Yehuda suicide bombing that claimed six Israeli lives. The attack was carried out by a woman from Hebron.

Abu Shahadam, currently serving a life sentence, was facing permanent deportation. His conviction includes multiple charges: making threats, intentional causing of death, membership in an unauthorized organization, attempted murder and conspiracy to commit a crime. He has remained in custody since 2002.

The hostages freed in this exchange were American-Israeli Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36, Argentine-Israeli Iair Horn, 46, and Russian-Israeli Alexander Troufanov, 29.

Under the first six-week phase of the ceasefire agreement, a total of 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are set to be released.