The daddy was glued to his tv display for days, anxiously watching the information to see if his 17-year-old son could be amongst these launched from an Israeli jail as a part of the deal struck between the Israeli authorities and Hamas final week.
The deal supplied a glimmer of hope to the daddy, Ziad Dawoud, 53, who had not seen his son for almost a yr since he was arrested for throwing stones at Israeli troopers throughout a raid of their neighborhood, he stated. Israeli authorities say that his son was arrested in connection along with his affiliation with Hamas, in keeping with a listing of prisoners printed by the Israeli authorities.
Then late Saturday afternoon, his son’s identify, Tariq Dawoud, flashed throughout the display amongst a listing of prisoners anticipated to be launched that day. Mr. Dawoud jumped in his automobile and raced from their hometown, Qalqiliya, a metropolis in a northwestern space of the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution, round two hours to Ramallah, the place tons of waited exterior of Ofer jail for his or her launch.
Crowds have gathered every night for days in Ramallah to welcome the Palestinian prisoners and detainees who’ve been launched in trade for hostages held by Hamas. Tariq Dawoud was among the many second group, which was introduced on Saturday.
An extra 39 Palestinians in custody had been freed on Sunday, in keeping with Israel’s jail service. After their launch, tons of of individuals crowded round them, hoisting them within the air and carrying them towards a fundamental sq. in Ramallah.
A sense of sheer aid washed over Mr. Dawoud and his son stepped off the bus of prisoners early Sunday morning, he stated. The 2 hugged and the youthful Dawoud went to kiss his father’s toes in an indication of respect, however his father refused to let him.
“I instructed him: ‘Oh my son, my love,’” the daddy recalled in a telephone interview.
The 2 drove again to Qalqiliya, each nonetheless in disbelief. Once they arrived at their home at daybreak, dozens of family and buddies rushed to greet the youthful Dawoud. Then, they stated, they paraded him across the neighborhood in a 15-car motorcade, honking their horns and shouting to announce his triumphant return.
“I couldn’t imagine it, I felt like I used to be dreaming,” the youthful Dawoud stated in a telephone interview Sunday night.
“I nonetheless haven’t slept,” he added. “I’m nearly delirious.”
