Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners early on Monday, hours after the return of three Israeli hostages freed by Hamas to Israel.
This development followed the implementation of a long-anticipated ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Sunday.
The released detainees were transported in large white buses, exiting Israel’s Ofer prison near Ramallah in the West Bank.
The scene was marked by jubilant celebrations, with fireworks lighting up the sky and crowds of Palestinians gathering around the buses, chanting and cheering.
According to information from the Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs, the freed individuals include women and minors. Israel claimed they had been detained for various offences linked to national security, ranging from stone-throwing to more severe charges like attempted murder.
This comes after Israel confirmed on Sunday that three hostages, who had been held by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months, are now back in Israeli territory.
The hostages who were released by Hamas to the Red Cross in Gaza City hours after a ceasefire took effect, were then handed over to the Israeli military.
