ALBAWABA - Hamas and Islamic Jihad staged a symbolic and well-planned demonstration in "Palestine Square" in downtown Gaza on Saturday as part of the second round of the prisoner exchange between Palestinian resistance groups and Israel.
Combatants from Islamic Jihad's military arm, Saraya Al-Quds, as well as security forces and Hamas's Al-Qassam Brigades participated in the operation. Tight security measures were in place to keep Red Cross cars and bystanders apart, and there was a platform with the phrase "Zionism Did Not Win."
Hamas militants showed power and solidarity by arriving in cars and motorbikes. Families flocked to the area with Palestinian flags in hand, while one lady showed support by tossing flowers. Journalist Tamer Al-Mishal of Al Jazeera said the incident showed the resistance's determination to show strength and control while indicating that Israel's goals in Gaza are still unfulfilled.
The selection of Palestine Square, which has long been associated with Israeli intrusions, highlighted the symbolic triumph of the resistance. Israeli soldiers have previously used the area to project dominance during earlier battles.
The ceasefire agreement's second phase was completed when four Israeli hostages—Karina Ariev, Daniel Gilboa, Naama Levy, and Liri Albag—were turned over to a Red Cross team. In order to support the resistance's narrative, the exchange also included slogans and messages that made reference to Israeli military units that had been brutally attacked throughout the fighting.
The agreement's first phase, which started last Sunday, is being followed by this operation. Over the course of six weeks, 33 Israeli hostages will be traded for almost 1,900 Palestinian detainees as part of the agreement.
Israeli media attributed the exchange's quick execution to Hamas's demand that Israel leave the Netzarim axis so that displaced Palestinians may return to their homes in the south. As a major milestone in the current truce, the prisoner exchange continues to take place, underscoring Gaza's delicate political and humanitarian situation.
