Gaza Herald_ Israel has killed or rearrested nearly 40 Palestinian prisoners who were released to the occupied West Bank or East Jerusalem as part of the Gaza prisoner-exchange deals, out of roughly 700 freed to these areas since the first exchange nearly two years ago and less than two months after the third deal.
According to the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, which published the details on Tuesday in a report laced with incitement against the released detainees, the number of those who have returned to resistance activities among the freed prisoners from the three deals is higher than the reported figure. However, some have not yet been detained.
The paper noted that the figures it presented relate only to the West Bank and Jerusalem and do not include the hundreds of prisoners described as “more dangerous” who were released to Gaza or exiled elsewhere under the deals. Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, believes many of them have also resumed involvement in resistance activities or will do so.
Partial Data
Citing partial data from the Shin Bet, the newspaper claims that 82% of the 1,027 prisoners released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit exchange returned to various forms of resistance, including financing, logistical assistance, or direct involvement in operations. The agency also alleges that 12% carried out attacks in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
The report noted that one of the highest-profile prisoners released in that deal was Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, later killed by the Israeli military during the current genocide in Gaza. However, he had been freed to Gaza rather than to the West Bank.
Debate Over Where Released Prisoners Should Go
Following the three prisoner exchanges that came after the October 7, 2023, “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, Israel witnessed extensive debate over where freed detainees should be sent. Some Israeli security officials recommended releasing the “most dangerous” prisoners into the occupied West Bank, not to Gaza or other destinations, arguing that it would be easier for the security establishment to monitor or re-arrest them.
The political leadership, however, decided otherwise, insisting that they not be released into the West Bank but instead exiled to Gaza or other locations, claiming this would reduce the risk to settlers.
According to Israel Hayom, the Shin Bet says it does not have updated statistics on the total number of released prisoners across all fronts who have rejoined resistance activity, and the available data covers only those in the West Bank who have already been arrested or killed.
