Palestinian icon Ahed Tamimi could be among those freed in new truce deal

Detained Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi could be among prisoners freed in the coming days as part of the truce extension between Hamas and Israel, which was reached late on Monday.

The 22-year-old is reportedly included among 50 Palestinian detainees Israel said it would release in exchange for a number of hostages held by Hamas, Israeli media outlets have reported.

Tamimi, a well-known Palestinian civil rights activist, was arrested by Israeli forces in her home village of Nabi Saleh in the occupied West Bank earlier this month on charges of "inciting violence and terrorist activities" over a post on Instagram that allegedly called for violence against settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory.

She has been under administrative detention in Israel since.

Tamimi’s mother, Nariman, denied that the 22-year-old had written the post, saying there are dozens of social media accounts impersonating Ahed and that she doesn't even have an Instagram account.

As Israa Jaabis was celebrating her freedom from prison, Israeli forces stormed her home to halt celebrations and to expel a family member. The army of the only democracy in the Middle East also assaulted media crews and banned them from reporting ⬇ pic.twitter.com/dMHznmL0BZ

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) November 27, 2023

Tamimi rose to prominence in 2017 after taking part in protests as a teenager in Nabi Saleh against illegal settlement expansions in the area, including one video where she slapped an Israeli soldier.

During the demonstrations, Tamimi's cousin, Mohammed, was shot in the head by a rubber bullet, leaving him severely injured.

Ahed was subsequently arrested and tried before an Israeli military court, and imprisoned for eight months.

The 22-year-old went on to become a protest icon and a symbol of Palestinian resistance, later co-authoring a memoir titled 'They Called Me a Lioness'.

Tamimi is among over 3,200 Palestinians detained in an Israeli crackdown in the occupied West Bank since 7 October, when Israel launched a massive military campaign in Gaza, killing close to 15,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

As part of its war on Gaza, Israel has imposed a complete siege, depriving 2.3 million residents of food, fuel, and water. It has also bombed hospitals, schools, and places of worship, where scores of Palestinians have taken refuge.

Israel and Hamas agreed on Monday to extend a Qatar-mediated truce by two days, which will see the release of more Palestinian detainees and Israeli hostages.

So far, 150 Palestinians have been released since Friday's temporary ceasefire began in exchange for 50 Israeli hostages. 17 Thai nationals, one Filipino and one dual Russian-Israeli citizen were also released.