Israel quietly released and returned five Palestinian detainees being held by them to Gaza Strip authorities late on Monday as part of a prisoner-exchange framework, according to Gaza Strip authorities. This comes amid negotiations being conducted by regional mediators for an end-to-the hostage situation and hostage release agreement between Hamas and Israel, as well as regional mediators seeking an agreement.
According to Israeli sources, five detainees were brought from Israeli jails to Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing and handed over in early hours on Tuesday morning, arriving there via intermediaries including International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of wider exchange arrangements. Although Israel has released many hundreds of Palestinian prisoners recently, this particular batch of five prisoners was treated as symbolic gesture.
Palestinian response was immediate: families in Gaza quickly gathered at Khan Younis hospital to await the arrival of those released under Israeli security legislation, some having been detained for years. Scenes of cautious celebration have already appeared on local media with friends and relatives greeting returning prisoners who appear frail or emotionally distraught upon returning.
From Israel’s perspective, the release was part of a complex process and emphasised that any further detainee transfers will only occur as Hamas hands back hostages. An Israeli Defence Ministry statement underscored this point by asserting that security remains of primary importance and any additional release must coincide with progress towards their return.
Analysts contend the release of five detainees, though small in number, holds outsized symbolic value. Since Hamas attacked southern Israel on October 7th 2023 and held hostages from Israeli civilians and soldiers hostage there; Israel under pressure has made prisoner exchanges–releasing Palestinian prisoners from its jails for Israeli captives or remains held in Gaza.
Reuters + 2 has reported this story from timesofisrael.com.
+2 The release of Gaza-based Palestinian detainees marks a symbolic win for their “prisoner issue”, seen as central to the conflict. Many families displayed posters showing relatives detained by Israeli authorities; their release has reignited attention on broader issue affecting thousands more still being detained; according to local rights groups as of October 2025, an estimated 11,000 Palestinians still resided in Israeli jails without charges being laid; The Guardian estimates this number.
However, the release demonstrates how stagnant the overall agreement remains. While Israel freed five prisoners in this batch and released some hostages through Hamas during this phase, that number still remains limited and raises questions over whether exchange framework will expand or remain piecemeal. Furthermore, Israeli government conditions for future transfers include stopping public handover ceremonies that they believe degrade Israeli hostages.
Human rights groups welcomed news of their release with optimism but have asked both sides to ensure transparency and protect the dignity of freed detainees. Later released Palestinians have reported medical neglect or psychological trauma due to prison conditions; advocates argue Israel must now provide for proper reintegration after release.
In Gaza, released men join those who have recently returned, entering a territory still recovering from war. Families remain wary; one relative who requested anonymity reacted cautiously: “We rejoice,” stated an individual, adding: “But our sons, brothers and husbands still wait; this cannot be the end.”
At present, the release of five Palestinian prisoners to Gaza illustrates both how incremental steps continue in hostage-prisoner negotiations as well as its fragility. It remains to be seen if this development will serve as a meaningful precedent or simply provide temporary respite during an impasse negotiation process.