\n<\/p>\n
Since the war, new checkpoints have been erected and barricades built, making movement between some areas practically impossible. Violence by Israeli settlers has reached record highs, according to the United Nations. And the Israeli military has carried out nightly raids in the West Bank, in what it says are part of a counterterrorism operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have built fear in our hearts,\u201d said Hanna Tufaheh, 50. \u201cEveryone feels extremely depressed, and it\u2019s extremely difficult for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
As she spoke, the sun began to sink beneath the beige apartment buildings of Ramallah. The call to prayer rang out from a nearby loudspeaker, and men lined up in the street to pray. Jihad Mtoor, 32, stood with a group of friends smoking cigarettes and waiting as cars brought more Palestinians.<\/p>\n
For Mr. Mtoor and his friends, the release of prisoners was a small victory in a war they did not expect to end anytime soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we are here to celebrate came from Hamas in Gaza \u2014 this is not the first nor will it be the last prisoner deal with the Gaza war,\u201d Mr. Mtoor said. As he spoke, his friends began rattling off the names of major Palestinian figures currently in Israeli prisons \u2014 hoping perhaps that they, too, could be released.<\/p>\n
Among the names was Marwan Barghouti, 64, who is serving time in Israeli prison for killings committed during the first and second intifadas, which he led. Some observers believe he could be part of a larger prisoner exchange to help end the war.<\/p>\n
The anger and frustration among Palestinians in the West Bank have been palpable, as the death toll in Gaza has grown, with more than 14,000 people killed, according to health officials in the enclave.<\/p>\n
Mr. Mtoor said the war \u201cwill and already has encouraged the new generation to resist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis will never end; this will continue from one generation to another until the land is liberated,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Jamal Abu-Hammad, 64, who works at a delivery company, agreed.<\/p>\n
\u201cPressure leads to explosion,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are putting pressure on the people in Gaza, and we are the continuation of the people of Gaza here in the West Bank \u2014 we will stand with them.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n