Khan Yunis, Gaza – Since 8 am, Abu Yusef, 32, was standing in a crowd near the ruins of the former Yahya Sinwar house, the political and military leader in Hamas, in the south of Gaza, Khan Yunis. With his four -year -old son floating on his shoulders, he was waiting for a look at the release of Israeli prisoners.

About Abu Youssef, thousands of people gathered in a sea of ​​green enthusiasm and black banners from Palestinian Islamic jihad group. There were also pictures of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah who was killed by Israel, and the photos of Abdul -Malik al -Houthi, the leader of the Yemeni Houthis, and the Fathi Iqqa’ia, the late founder of Islamic jihad.

Abu Youssef said: “I am proud to see these prisoners, who were released for countless Palestinians who have been in Israeli prisons for decades.”

Versions are part of the high risk The ceasefire agreement It aims to end months of the war that started on October 7, 2023, after Hamas fighters launched a deadly attack on Israel. Below the deal Go out On January 19, Hamas is scheduled to launch 33 Israeli prisoners for six weeks. in contrast , Up to 1650 Palestinian prisoners can be released from Israeli prisons.

Thursday exchange, the third Since I started a ceasefire, I started with Hamas with a 20 -year -old soldier Ajam Berger In the Gabalia Refugee camp in northern Gaza, followed by the release of civilians White painting Jews and Jadi Moses In addition to five Thai citizens in Khan Yunis as part of a surrender supervised by the armed wing of Islamic jihad, the Quad.

Later in the day, the Israeli authorities launched 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 32 Presentation of a lifelong camel And 30 palace.

Abu Yusef said that he walked more than five kilometers (three miles) from his village to reach early, and waited more than four hours to see the prisoners’ launch.

He says that their release in exchange for Palestinian prisoners makes him feel that what he lost in the war was not in vain. He said: “These scenes have helped relieve the pain of the two -storey home loss and relatives of the Israeli air strikes.”

While the armored pick -up trucks were rolled by carrying the fighters wearing combat clothes and Blackfas Black, Abu Yusuf proudly pointed out.

He said: “The resistance fighters are still alive, and they are able to return.” “This entire exchange is a reminder that the occupation has failed to break us.”

“People’s steadfastness”

Along the crowded Khan Younis Fifth Street, where the delivery occurred and where the Sinwar house stood up, and people waved banners when they came to see what many saw in the crowd as a “symbolic victory”.

Two women have given handwritten signs to thank Iran, Hezbollah, and the Hythonians for their support. One of them, Yasmine*, 28 years old, grabbed a banner, “for all those who stood with us, our victory is for you.”

“We are here to thank every nation that supported our resistance, especially Iran, [Lebanon’s] Hezbollah and Yemen. “But the steadfastness of our people brought us here.”

Dozens of demonstrators set out on the remains of flat houses to watch the delivery.

The delay did for two hours, except for a few enthusiasm of the crowd, as people were photographed on smartphones and echoed festive slogans.

The Israeli prisoners were guarded, surrounded by convincing brigades, where they were transported through the crowd and towards the representatives of the ICRC (ICRC).

Approachs rose forward to take pictures and youth close to the prisoners who were mocking their leadership.

Muhammad*, 22 years old, his voice stumbled with ridicule, and called, “Erbl, has caused many troubles,” referring to the controversy over the release of Erbl Jews, which led to a tense confrontation between the negotiators and frustration between the Palestinians.

Israel said that Yahoud had to be released last Saturday, and after it was not, it was accused Hamas from violating the agreement Then prevented the Palestinians from returning to their homes in the north. An agreement was reached later, paving the way for thousands of Palestinians displaced to return to northern Gaza.

“Return to your family. We are better at without you!” He shouted.

“The price we paid”

Among the spectators, people described the feeling of luster and sadness after a war that killed at least 47,035 Palestinians and wounded 111,091.

“God is the greatest!” Ren across the streets, rejoicing sounds, with destruction everywhere. The houses of Khan Yunis are located in the rubble, and agricultural lands were stripped by bulldozers and the remaining olive trees.

Abdul Qadir*, 63, has a white beard and wireless glasses, and she stood on the side, watching in silence.

“We should not search for conflict with any Arab nation or the international community,” he told Al -Jazeera.

He said that the gestures of his ruins around him, “credit goes to the Palestinians”, who have withstood more than 15 months of uncompromising bombing, alive, “genocide.”

“Our enemy forced the world to see us. We have bombs, the siege, and the loss. But what remains?” He asked. “See this destruction: our homes, our farms. This is the price we paid.”

This article was published in cooperation with egab.

*All those interviewed were asked to be withheld their last names due to security concerns.