Ashraf Zughayer, released after 23 years in Israeli prison, expressed overwhelming joy at being reunited with his family. He was imprisoned for his connection to a Hamas attack. His release, as part of a larger exchange deal, coincided with the liberation of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. While many celebrated their return home, recipients faced severe harassment from Israeli forces shortly after, with several arrests occurring in Zughayer's family following a police raid that disrupted their brief celebration, illustrating the ongoing tensions in the region.
"I felt like I was born again," the 47-year-old Palestinian says, sitting on the couch in his family's living room.
"That was the best moment of my life, seeing my parents in our house, and not in jail," Zughayer remembers.
The celebration was short-lived. Just a few hours later, Israeli soldiers and police raided the house, guns raised, according to the family and several New York Times journalists who were there.
Israeli police came back a few days later and arrested 12 more members of the extended family.
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