Emotional Palestinian awaits release of Palestinian imprisoned for 25 years

The sister of a Palestinian prisoner who has spent 25 years in Israeli detention is anxiously awaiting his release in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank.

Ibtisam Kamel Emri told Middle East Eye that she has been waiting for the release of her younger brother for the past two days.

“He’s my little brother - like my son, my love, and the light of my eyes. Only God knows how much we’ve suffered being apart from him. Only God knows how much we’ve hoped he’d be freed,” said the 50-year-old.

She said the family had been informed that her brother would be among the nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees set to be released under the latest ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

However, she added that they were warned against holding any public celebrations - a condition reportedly imposed on many families in the occupied territories.

“We said that’s fine. We just want our brother back. Our joy is in our hearts - we don’t need to show it off.”

Fighting back tears, Emri said the family still does not know when or where he will be released.

“We’re just waiting for God’s mercy… This has been one of the most difficult hours of my life.

"The whole world has changed [while he was imprisoned], his mother died, his father died. His siblings grew up, his children got married, all the while he's in prison."

Reporting by Mosab Shawer in Ramallah, occupied Palestine