ALBAWABA - Hisham al-Sayyid, an Israeli prisoner, will be released today in Gaza City without a formal ceremony, according to confirmation from Hamas' military arm, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Hamas sources claim that the ruling shows respect for Israeli Palestinian citizens, especially in light of instances when they have been recruited into the Israeli military, which is strongly opposed by Palestinian organizations.
According to sources who spoke to Al Jazeera journalist Tamer Al-Mishal, Hamas purposefully decided against hosting a widely reported release celebration because it considers situations like Al-Sayyid's to be unique and not typical of the larger Palestinian population in Israel. The organization made it clear that it is against Palestinians being drafted into the Israeli army in any way.
Additionally, Hamas emphasized what it called Israel's disregard for Al-Sayyid throughout his ten years in prison, pointing out that Israeli officials disregarded his family's numerous requests for his release. Despite the fact that Al-Sayyid was a member of the Israeli military, the organization said that this position highlights Israel's discriminatory practices regarding non-Jewish inmates.
As part of the seventh round of the ongoing prisoner exchange under the first stage of the ceasefire agreement, Al-Sayyid is one of six Israeli captives who are set to be released today.
Avraham Mengistu and Tal Shoham were turned over by Hamas to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Rafah, southern Gaza, earlier today. Omer Sheftov, Omer Fenkret, and Eliyahu Cohen are among the other captives who are anticipated to be freed from the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza.
Israel is still keen to obtain the release of its prisoners while talks for a larger prisoner exchange agreement continue, but Hamas maintains that any future agreement must be in line with its strategic requirements in the continuing conflict with Israel.
