WEST BANK: A total of 88 Palestinians were freed from Israeli prisons and sent to the occupied West Bank. The other nearly 2,000 individuals, including about 1,700 Palestinians taken from Gaza during the war and held without charges, were returned to Gaza. A few of them would continue on to neighboring countries. Israel released these prisoners and detainees just hours after returning all living Israeli hostages from Gaza. This exchange was the first step toward a ceasefire that might bring an end to the two-year conflict in the area. When people in Ramallah, located in the occupied West Bank, spotted the Palestinian prisoners through the bus windows, hundreds rushed forward, chanting the names of family members they hadn’t seen for years or even decades.
- Lord, we pray for healing and reconciliation in the region, that the release of prisoners might pave the way for dialogue and peace. May those impacted by the conflict find solace and strength in their families and communities (The Holy Bible, Psalms 59:16).
- Lord, we pray for justice and lasting freedom for all individuals affected by the conflict. May those who remain in captivity find hope and support, and may their release lead to a lasting end of hostilities (The Holy Bible, Psalms 62:8).
News Source: The Guardian
Image Source: Canva
