Palestinians liberated by Israel welcomed with celebration

Israel has released 114 Palestinian prisoners as part of a truce with Hamas. They arrived in the city of Ramallah in three buses and were greeted by residents with loud cheers and jubilant celebrations.

The Israeli Prison Service said a total of 200 Palestinians were released. Of these, 114 were sent to the West Bank, 70 to Egypt, and 16 to the Gaza Strip.

Those released range from 16-year-olds to 69-year-old Muhammad al-Taws, who had been in prison for 39 years. Most of the prisoners were serving life sentences.

Hamas, in turn, has handed over four Israeli women held hostage to Israel through the Red Cross. Those released include Naami Levi, Karina Arief, Daniel Gilboa (20), and Liri Albag (19). All of them are military personnel who were captured during a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Under the deal between Israel and Hamas, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for every civilian held hostage, and 50 for every soldier. Of the 97 Israelis held hostage by Hamas, 33 are to be released within 6 weeks.