Freed after 20 years: Palestinian prisoner reunites with family but fear of re-arrest lingers

Two hundred Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli jails on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Many had been serving lengthy sentences, including life imprisonment. Among them was Mohammed Omar Zayed, who reunited with his family after 20 years in prison. His son Abdallah, born during his imprisonment, grew up seeing only photos of his father. While Mohammed’s release brings joy, it is bittersweet, as his mother passed away before witnessing his freedom. Though he cherishes reuniting with loved ones, the trauma of imprisonment lingers, and fears of re-arrest persist. His story reflects the struggles of many Palestinians released in prisoner exchanges, balancing hope with the scars of occupation.

Al Jazeera’s Ibtissem Guenfoud reports.

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