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Disgraceful

Tensions rise as Red Cross blocks Israel's prison transfer documentation

The useless and despicable Red Cross blocked Israel's prison cameras as terrorists walk free in yesterday's hostage trade.

Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib / Flash90
Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib / Flash90

Tensions escalated Saturday as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) attempted to block the Israel Prison Service (IPS) from documenting the transfer of Palestinian prisoners being released under the latest hostage exchange deal.

The dispute centered on IPS efforts to film prisoners moving from prison vehicles to Red Cross buses headed for Khan Yunis in Gaza. IPS officials defended the filming as essential documentation against potential future claims regarding prisoner treatment during release.

"You stage photo ops on platforms in Gaza, but forbid filming here," IPS officials reportedly told Red Cross representatives, highlighting what they viewed as inconsistent standards. The standoff ended with IPS being allowed to proceed with their documentation.

The Red Cross declined specific comment, stating only that they "do not respond to claims from anonymous sources or discuss dialogue with authorities."

The exchange marked another milestone in the ongoing hostage deal, with 183 Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for three Israeli hostages - Ofer Calderon, Yarden Bibas, and Keith Siegel - who had spent 483 days in captivity. The released Palestinians included:

- 111 detainees from Gaza

- 54 prisoners serving extended sentences

- 18 serving life terms

Most returnees (143) were transferred to Gaza, while 32 went to the West Bank and eight to Egypt.

In an unprecedented move, the IPS Commissioner sent a message via wristbands given to previously released prisoners. The bands bore an inscription in Hebrew and Arabic reading: "The eternal nation does not forget, I will pursue my enemies and overtake them," alongside official IPS and Israeli state symbols.

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Among those released was Zakaria Zubeidi, a notable former Fatah commander previously involved in the 2002 Beit She'an attack that claimed six lives. Zubeidi, who once escaped from Gilboa Prison, will return to Jenin.

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