Red Cross buses carrying 110 Palestinian prisoners arrived in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday (January 30) as part of a phased agreement that ended over 15 months of conflict.
The release of the detainees, part of a wider agreement that halted the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip, sparked celebrations in the Palestinian territories.
Women, dressed in traditional Palestinian attire, ululated as the buses arrived, while men chanted, “We sacrifice our souls and blood for you.” The most prominent figure among the freed prisoners was Zakaria Zubaidi, a leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas' rival, the Fatah group. Zubaidi had previously escaped prison in 2021 but was recaptured soon after. Known as a strongman of the city of Jenin, Zubaidi's release was widely celebrated.
The mood turned tense as Israeli army vehicles entered Ramallah and fired stun grenades at the crowd, which had gathered to welcome the prisoners. Some Palestinians responded by throwing stones at the Israeli forces. Palestinian health officials reported at least 14 injuries from Israeli fire, including live and rubber bullets, and gas inhalation.
While the celebration in Ramallah continued, clashes with Israeli troops underscored the ongoing tensions in the region. Despite the prisoner exchange, the situation remains volatile, with no immediate comment from Israeli authorities regarding the confrontation.
The release came amid wider efforts to ease hostilities, with Hamas also freeing three Israeli and five Thai hostages in Gaza on the same day.
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Over 100 people have died after severe flooding struck a village near Lake Tanganyika in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exacerbating the region's ongoing challenges.
A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, plunges to Earth's atmosphere on Saturday, more than 50 years after its failed launch to Venus, with its fiery descent tracked by both Russian and European space agencies.
Pope Leo XIV, in his inaugural Sunday noon blessing, called for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of hostages, emphasizing humanitarian aid and unity during a message delivered from St. Peter’s Basilica.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed Russia’s latest signal for renewed peace talks with Ukraine, offering Istanbul once again as a venue for direct negotiations.
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Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano. AnewZ covered the event, with journalist Maria Rodriguez Abalde on-site. She witnessed the occasion firsthand and documented key moments. More images and footage will be available soon.
The United States and China have entered the second day of high-stakes tariff negotiations in Geneva, with no significant breakthroughs yet, but U.S. President Donald Trump is optimistic about progress.
Over 100 people have died after severe flooding struck a village near Lake Tanganyika in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exacerbating the region's ongoing challenges.
A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, plunges to Earth's atmosphere on Saturday, more than 50 years after its failed launch to Venus, with its fiery descent tracked by both Russian and European space agencies.
Pope Leo XIV, in his inaugural Sunday noon blessing, called for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of hostages, emphasizing humanitarian aid and unity during a message delivered from St. Peter’s Basilica.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed Russia’s latest signal for renewed peace talks with Ukraine, offering Istanbul once again as a venue for direct negotiations.
The United States and China have entered the second day of high-stakes tariff negotiations in Geneva, with no significant breakthroughs yet, but U.S. President Donald Trump is optimistic about progress.
Over 100 people have died after severe flooding struck a village near Lake Tanganyika in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exacerbating the region's ongoing challenges.
A Soviet-era spacecraft, Kosmos 482, plunges to Earth's atmosphere on Saturday, more than 50 years after its failed launch to Venus, with its fiery descent tracked by both Russian and European space agencies.
Pope Leo XIV, in his inaugural Sunday noon blessing, called for peace in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and the release of hostages, emphasizing humanitarian aid and unity during a message delivered from St. Peter’s Basilica.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed Russia’s latest signal for renewed peace talks with Ukraine, offering Istanbul once again as a venue for direct negotiations.
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