Released Palestinian celebrates Ramadan with family

This Ramadan, a long-awaited reunion took place as a former prisoner broke his fast for the first time in over two decades, surrounded by family. The emotional gathering marked a significant moment, as he and his loved ones came together once again.

After more than two decades of separation, a man was finally able to break his fast during Ramadan surrounded by his family. His release, part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Gaza, marked an emotional reunion with loved ones in the West Bank.

The 65-year-old, who had been imprisoned since 2002, was among hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed in exchange for both living and deceased Israeli hostages. On Saturday, the man reunited with over 70 family members in Hebron for a long-awaited celebration.

In a heartfelt moment, he shared, “I was waiting for my first meeting with my children, to eat Maklouba, my favourite Palestinian dish. That's what I was waiting for, to sit at the dinner table with my children, wives, and grandchildren. This was my wish after being released from prison, to sit with them together and eat from the same plate, and to see my family, who were away from me for the past 24 years, who were missing their father. They were deprived of their father for the past 24 years."

Having spent years in prison, he had even prepared the dish for fellow prisoners, maintaining a strong connection to his culture despite the hardships of imprisonment.