1968 Prisoner Exchange: The First Palestinian Deal After the El Al Hijacking to Algeria

On 23 July 1968 the first exchange between the Palestinians and the occupation took place, after fighters of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine hijacked an El Al plane flying from Rome to occupied Palestine and forced it to land in Algeria. It ended with the release of 37 Palestinian prisoners according to Al Jazeera Net, through the mediation of the Red Cross. ^[1][2]

Contents

1. The deal at a glance
2. The operation and the deal
3. Timeline
4. Frequently asked questions about the 1968 exchange

The deal at a glance

^[1][2]

The operation and the deal

WAFA described the deal as the first Palestinian prisoner exchange with the occupation, and the operation as the first hijacking of an Israeli plane. The perpetrators forced the plane to land in Algeria with about a hundred passengers on board. The passengers were released in return for the freeing of Palestinian prisoners, through the mediation of the Red Cross. ^[2][1]

According to Al Jazeera Net the 37 prisoners had high sentences, and some had been arrested before the 1967 war. ^[1]

Timeline

Frequently asked questions about the 1968 exchange

When was the first Palestinian exchange?

On 23 July 1968. ^[2]

Who carried it out?

Fighters of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. ^[1][2]

How many prisoners were freed?

37 prisoners with high sentences according to Al Jazeera Net. ^[1]

Who mediated?

The Red Cross. ^[1][2]

Sources and references

1. Al Jazeera Net, “Exchange deals between Israel and the Arabs”, 12 October 2011 (in Arabic).
2. WAFA Info, “Prisoners who wrested their freedom from the occupation’s prisons” (in Arabic).