Palestinian woman celebrates reunion with husband freed from Israeli prison after over 10 years

Palestinian woman Majda Balousha reunited with her husband, Abd Al Rahman Taha Balousha, who was released from an Israeli prison after 10 years and 6 months as part of a hostage exchange deal that followed the Gaza ceasefire.

“I am 30 years old, the wife of prisoner Abd Al Rahman Taha Balousha,” said Majda, sharing that her husband was detained by Israeli army in 2014, just 10 months after their marriage.

Majda revealed that Abd Al Rahman had been sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison, describing the visits to see him in detention as an immense "struggle."

During the decade of waiting, many discouraged her, saying he would not be released before completing his full sentence and that she would "grow old" waiting, as the couple had no children together.

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However, Majda’s unwavering faith kept her hopeful. "Our hope is in God," she said. "This is God’s decree, not man’s. Despite what people said, I was certain he would be released. I wholeheartedly waited for him for 10 years."

She added that every year, she had renewed hope that he would return home."

Reflecting on the reunion, Majda said, "Seeing him eases our burden, eases the destruction and bloodshed from bombings, and the suffering we endured during his detention and the 2023 war. This is a day of victory for us, a victory for all Palestinian people."

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She emphasised that the liberation of prisoners is a "national and moral duty" for every Muslim.

A video captured the emotional moment Majda embraced Abd Al Rahman after his release. He expressed her gratitude, saying, "Today, we extend our thanks to our people in Gaza."