Palestinians Celebrate Prisoner Swap in Gaza

"Thank you to the forces of the resistance for returning us as liberated heroes," said one prisoner.

Victory for Palestinians in both Gaza and the West Bank, photo courtesy: Hamas Al-Qassam Brigades

(GAZA CITY) - The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas declared victory Tuesday as hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange for captive soldier Gilad Shalit. In Gaza, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh was spotted gesturing 'V' with both his hands. The Islamist movement prepared a military band to accompany the celebrations.

Gaza declared a national holiday and schools were closed. The road from the Egyptian border with Egypt was turned into a military zone and sealed off.

The web of electricity cables slung over Gaza's main streets was decorated with the green flags of Hamas. The streets were full of men in pick-ups, convertibles and rickshaw trucks waving the brightly-colored banners of Gaza's militant factions.

A wall painting lampooned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, depicting him with his face ground into the dirt by the boot of a gunman, signing a paper with words "Swap deal".

Dozens of masked, heavily-armed men of the Hamas' military wing Ezzedeen al-Qassam waited in convoy to escort buses carrying the freed men north to Gaza city.

"I think the deal represents something great for the Palestinian people. Those who are still in jail are happy for those who have been released." said Hamas deputy leader in exile Moussa Abu Marzouk, who greeted prisoners arriving in Egypt from Israel.

"The rest of the prisoners must be released because if they are not released in a normal way they will be released in other ways," said Abu Marzouk.

Patriotic songs blared from loudspeakers as prisoners arrived to a heroes' welcome at the Rafah crossing. Some kissed the soil as they arrived. Some were carried on the shoulders of happy relatives. Women ululated and men chanted Allahu akbar (God is greatest).

Hamas prime minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh joined scores of officials to greet freed prisoners coming in from Egypt, along with hundreds of family members impatient for the big reunion.

Haniyeh kissed their foreheads, paying special respect to Yehya Al-Sinwar, a top Hamas security strategist who spent 23 years in jail, and his deputy Rawhi Mushtaha who was also serving a life sentence.

"Thank you to the forces of the resistance for returning us as liberated heroes," said one prisoner.

Sinwar called on the group's military wing to kidnap more Israeli soldiers in order to free the remaining prisoners in Israeli jails.

Dozens of Palestinians gathered near the Israeli Ofer Prison on Tuesday to celebrate the release of prisoners as part of the Shalit prisoner exchange deal. Celebrations were also noted in Jerusalem and Umm al-Fahm.

Palestinians were seen waving Hamas and Palestinian flags outside the prison.

Celebrations were noted in east Jerusalem as well, where some of the prisoners will arrive upon release. Residents gathered in Issawiya in anticipation of the prisoners' arrival. Palestinian flags were seen inside moving cars.

Dozens also gathered in Umm al-Fahm to greet prisoner Muhammad Mahaja. His daughter said: "We are waiting for my father patiently and with concern. I missed him very much and I'm waiting to hold him and touch. This is a historic day for us, we shall never forget it."

Source: News release issued by the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades in Palestine, (the military wing of the Islamic resistance movement Hamas).

To learn more about Hamas, visit this report: If HAMAS is a Terrorist Organization, What Does That Make Israel? by Tim King from Salem-News.com.