Emotional day after 24 years: Child's release, pain of missing loved ones

The Ramallah Cultural Center in the West Bank became a stage for emotions on Monday. On one side, a mother's joy at the return of her child, who was released from prison after 24 years, on the other, a family's tears broken by the absence of a loved one - all together, a picture of a great mix of emotions emerged.

As buses carrying Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli prisons arrived in Ramallah, thousands of people came to find their relatives. The tired faces of the prisoners who had been held in prison for a long time showed signs of starvation and torture.

Among those released was Saber Masalma, a member of the Fatah faction who was serving a life sentence for conspiracy and a deadly attack. After 24 years of hard life, he was immediately lifted onto the shoulders of his relatives. Wearing a keffiyeh, holding a victory sign, and sitting at her mother’s feet in a state of emotional expression—that scene was the most emotional moment of the ceremony.

Saber’s relatives were overwhelmed by the sight of her emaciated body. They also urged her to restore her body, which had been ravaged by malnutrition and torture in prison. Saber described the prison experience as “horrific.” Other prisoners also mentioned that the past two years had been “the most hellish time” of their lives.

But there was also a shadow of pain in this picture of joy. Umm Abed was waiting for her brother Kamal Imran, who had not gotten off the bus despite being on the list of those released. It is believed that he had been sent to exile in Gaza. Umm Abed said, crying repeatedly, “We have been waiting for him for two days. If he is going to be exiled, why was he not informed in advance?”

Kamal’s other relative, Raed Imran, also broke down in anger and despair. “Where is he? We don’t know anything. It’s all over,” he said. Flowers and sweets meant for joy turned to despair in an instant.

In Ramallah, this day is not just one of joy or sorrow, but a reflection of the brutal reality of Israeli occupation policy. Liberation is not complete liberation; it involves uncertainty, exile, separation from family, and cries of humiliation.