Israelis Wary That Many Bad Apples Are Among the Released Palestinian Prisoners

Israel must release up to 50 Palestinian prisoners, many serving life terms for terrorist killings, for each Israeli hostage released in deal with Hamas.

Palestinian prisoners are greeted as they exit a Red Cross bus after being released from Israeli prison following a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Feb. 1, 2025. AP Photo/Nasser Nasser

One of the bitter pills that Israelis must swallow in the freeing of the hostages held by Hamas is having to release terrorists guilty of many serious crimes, from leading terrorist attacks to dispatching suicide bombers and committing murder.

Mahmoud Atallah was serving a life sentence for murdering a Palestinian woman suspected of collaborating with Israel. He was then indicted in September 2024 for repeatedly sexually assaulting female guards at Gilboa Prison, according to the Times of Israel.