Joy in Gaza as 5 Palestinians freed by Israel reunite with families

There have been heartwarming scenes in Gaza as five Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of the ceasefire with Hamas reunited with their families.

They were transferred to Al-Aqsa Hospital for medical checkups, Al Jazeera reports. 

But there were also Palestinians who went home heartbroken, as they did not find their loved ones among those who were freed.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli authorities also handed over the bodies of 45 Palestinians who had been held by the Israeli military. The process to identify them is going to start tomorrow.

Despite these developments, Israeli forces are also continuing to attack different areas across Gaza. They’ve targeted a school in the Shujayea neighbourhood of northern Gaza City that has been sheltering thousands of displaced families. There was a wedding at the school, and three Palestinians, including a child, were injured.

In southern Rafah, three more Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces, who are also continuing attacks on eastern parts of nearby Khan Younis, including by demolishing and destroying residential houses.

Palestinians say they know they will continue to be targeted wherever they go in Gaza, despite a ceasefire being in effect.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 68,858 people and wounded 170,664 since October 2023. A total of 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks, and about 200 were taken captive.