Palestine Square once was walled when it laid along the southern edge of the Old City, overlooking barley and vegetable farms, olive and almond groves.
[2] On December 7, 2023, during the fighting in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, the Israeli Defense Forces conquered Palestine Square.
On November 30, a week prior to the occupation, Hamas used Palestine Square as the venue for the release of some of the hostages it was holding.
[3][dubious – discuss] On January 25, 2025, Hamas used the square to stage the release of four Israeli female soldier held as hostage since October 7, 2023.
It was the second round of hostage release as spelled out in the 2025 ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel.