Despite a temporary truce, uncertainty and tension continue to grip Gaza as Israel and Palestinian factions proceed with a prisoner exchange. While Israeli captives have been released, hundreds of Palestinian detainees—many held without charge—are finally seeing freedom after months or years behind bars.

The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, was hailed as a step towards de-escalation. However, the situation remains precarious, with repeated Israeli violations and ongoing military operations threatening to unravel the fragile ceasefire. For many Palestinians, the release of prisoners does not erase the suffering endured under the relentless blockade and bombardments that have left entire neighbourhoods in ruins.

On the ground, the disparity is stark. While Israeli families celebrate the return of their loved ones, Palestinian detainees return to a homeland devastated by months of Israeli attacks. Their homes reduced to rubble, their families shattered—freedom, for many, is bittersweet. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians remain imprisoned, facing harsh conditions and an uncertain fate under an Israeli judicial system widely criticised for its discriminatory practices.

As mediators push for further prisoner swaps, the broader reality remains unchanged. The truce, however temporary, does not address the root causes of the conflict—occupation, siege, and systemic oppression. Without a lasting solution that guarantees Palestinian rights, any ceasefire is merely a pause in an ongoing cycle of violence and resistance.