The Beiruter receives testimonies from freed Palestinians after mass release

In an exclusive obtained by The Beiruter, statements from a recently released Palestinian prisoner and a journalist on the ground shed light on the emotional and political weight of an unprecedented moment in the region’s history. Families across Gaza, the West Bank, and the diaspora are preparing to welcome loved ones home after years of separation, uncertainty, and trauma.

Recently released prisoner Fatma recounted the long road to freedom with palpable emotion: “For two years, we woke each day uncertain whether we would survive. Now, in these final hours before returning home, the sense of relief, joy, and the simple breath of life is overwhelming.” She stressed to The Beiruter, “this is more than just a release. It is the return of life to our streets, the chance for families to reunite, and the first breath of hope after a long suffocation” Reflecting on the journey, Fatma addressed the people directly:

After the long-awaited release, after years of captivity and the shadow of death, there is only life.

“Gaza brings joy to all Palestinians, wherever they are, whether in the diaspora, inside historic Palestine, or in Gaza itself,” Palestinian journalist Sobhy Abu Zeid who has been covering the war since day one, told The Beiruter :

After two years of relentless conflict, bloodshed, and destruction that spared neither stone, tree, nor home, the halting of this violence is a profound relief. It sends a message that, even amid political deadlock, life, justice, and dignity cannot be entirely suppressed.

He detailed the unprecedented scope of the release: 1,996 Palestinians have been freed, 1,900 from Gaza and 250 from the West Bank, exceeding the original agreement of 1,666 prisoners. “This moment is not only a human story but a political statement,” Abu Zeid said.

Their statements encapsulate the fragile yet undeniable hope that now pulses through Gaza, offering both a personal testament and a universal message of perseverance.