Families of Palestinian prisoners released by Israel under a recent exchange deal are describing their relief as bittersweet after learning that many of their loved ones will be forcibly deported to third countries.
At least 154 Palestinians being freed on Monday as part of the swap for Israeli captives held in Gaza will be exiled, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office. These prisoners are part of a larger group of 250 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, along with about 1,700 Palestinians seized from Gaza during Israel’s two-year war, many of whom were reportedly forcibly disappeared. In return, Hamas and other Palestinian groups released 20 Israeli captives as part of a Gaza ceasefire.
The destinations for the deported Palestinians have not yet been revealed, though in a previous release in January, some detainees were sent to countries such as Tunisia, Algeria, and Turkiye. Observers have condemned the forced exile as a violation of the prisoners’ citizenship rights.
“It goes without saying it’s illegal,” said Tamer Qarmout, associate professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies. “These are citizens of Palestine. They have no other citizenships. They’re out of a small prison but sent to a bigger prison, away from their society, to new countries where they will face major restrictions. It’s inhumane.”
Families have expressed shock and dismay. Relatives of Muhammad Imran, arrested in December 2022 and sentenced to 13 life terms, said they were told he would be released to return home, only to learn he would instead be deported. His brother Raed Imran told reporters, “Today’s news was a shock, but we are still waiting. Maybe we’ll get to see him somehow. What matters is that he is released, here or abroad.”
The deportations also mean families may have no way to meet their loved ones due to Israel’s strict control over border crossings, Al Jazeera reporter Nida Ibrahim said.
Qarmout added that the move appears aimed at weakening Palestinian groups politically. “Exile means the end of their political future. In the countries they go to, they will face extreme constraints and cannot be active in any front related to the conflict. It’s a win-win for Israel,” he said, noting the stark contrast with the Israeli captives, who will be able to resume their lives in Israel. “It’s more double standards and hypocrisy.”
