Israel Releases 369 Palestinian Prisoners Wearing Shirts Stating “We Will Neither Forget Nor Forgive”
Israeli Response to Hamas’ Hostage Releases
In a significant and highly symbolic move, Israel has released 369 Palestinian prisoners following the liberation of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Reports indicate that these Palestinian detainees were released wearing specially designed T-shirts with a clear and bold statement: “We Will Neither Forget Nor Forgive.”
This act is widely seen as Israel’s direct response to Hamas’ hostage release rituals, where the militant group stages high-profile public events, compelling the freed Israeli captives to praise Hamas before massive Palestinian crowds. Israeli authorities have expressed frustration over these displays, which they view as propaganda efforts by Hamas aimed at rallying support among their followers.
Hostage Exchange Under Ceasefire Deal
On Saturday morning, Hamas released three Israeli hostages in Gaza’s Khan Younis region as part of a prisoner exchange agreement under a ceasefire deal. The hostages were handed over to the Red Cross at 10 a.m. (Israeli time) before being transferred to Israeli forces.
The three Israeli men who returned home after nearly 500 days in captivity were identified as:
- Sagui Dekel-Chen
- Sasha Trofanov
- Iair Horn
These releases mark the sixth round of exchanges between Israel and Hamas, which has seen Palestinian prisoners swapped for Israeli hostages under the current ceasefire agreement.
Prisoners Released After 498 Days in Captivity
The three freed Israeli men had been held captive for an astonishing 498 days before their release. Upon re-entering Israeli territory, they were immediately taken to medical facilities for health evaluations. Once their medical examinations are complete, they will be reunited with their families.
This latest exchange follows a previous round of prisoner swaps, in which Hamas released three Israeli hostages who were found to be physically weak and severely malnourished. That incident sparked outrage within Israel, with officials strongly condemning Hamas for the mistreatment of captives.
Improved Health Condition of Released Hostages
Unlike the prior group of hostages, this batch of released Israelis appeared to be in better physical condition. The contrast has raised questions about the differing treatment of hostages and whether Hamas has responded to Israel’s concerns after the backlash over the poor health conditions of previously freed captives.
Israel’s Symbolic Message: “We Will Neither Forget Nor Forgive”
The release of 369 Palestinian prisoners was a major development, but the message on their shirts has drawn significant international attention. The statement—“We Will Neither Forget Nor Forgive”—reflects Israel’s firm stance against Hamas and its determination to hold the group accountable for the attacks and hostage-taking that have fueled the ongoing conflict.
This move is seen as an assertion of Israeli resilience, signaling that despite negotiating hostage exchanges, the Israeli government and its people will not forget the suffering inflicted by Hamas.
Hamas’ Strategy of Publicized Hostage Releases
Hamas has consistently orchestrated large public events to mark the release of Israeli hostages. These gatherings are carefully staged, often compelling the hostages to make statements favorable to Hamas, portraying the group as a benevolent force.
The massive crowds at these events serve as a public relations strategy to boost morale among Hamas supporters while antagonizing Israel. This method of leveraging hostages for propaganda purposes has been a key element of Hamas’ psychological warfare tactics.
