Palestinian families await release of prisoners amid Israeli ban on celebrations

Since early Monday morning, dozens of Palestinian families have gathered outside Ofer Prison near Ramallah, awaiting the release of their loved ones as part of the ongoing prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel.

Despite the hopeful atmosphere, the Israeli military has dropped warning leaflets over the area using drones, urging those present to disperse and avoid approaching the prison. Heavy military reinforcements have also been deployed around the Ofer military base, heightening tensions on the ground.

Families remain defiant, with hundreds more waiting in central Ramallah, where buses carrying released prisoners are expected to arrive.

Among those waiting outside the prison is the family of Anan Shalabi, a prisoner from Nablus who has spent 25 years in Israeli detention and is serving a life sentence. His sister shared the family’s mixed emotions ahead of his expected release.

“Our feelings are mixed - happiness at his freedom, but deep sadness that our mother passed away before she could see her beloved son,” she told Middle East Eye reporter Mohammed Nazzal.

“She waited for him every day and always said she would see him before she died, but she passed away a year and a half ago after falling ill.”

Despite their grief, the family is preparing to welcome Anan home with a low-key celebration.

Over the weekend, Israeli forces raided the homes of several prisoners’ families across the occupied West Bank, warning them against holding any form of celebrations.

“We thank God above all,” Anan’s sister said. “We will hold a modest celebration, marry him off, and pray he finally gets to see his children. We just want to hold him, rejoice with him, and start a new chapter.”