A former Palestinian prisoner released by Israel is cheered upon his arrival in Ramallah on buses of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). AFP
A bus departed Ofer Military Prison with some 32 prisoners headed for the West Bank. About 150 other prisoners were being sent to Gaza or deported.
According to Palestinian authorities, a total of 183 Palestinian prisoners are to be released, including dozens serving lengthy or life sentences and 111 people from the Gaza Strip who were arbitrarily detained after 7 October 2023 and held without trial.
In a sign that the ceasefire agreement is progressing, this release departs from the previous formula of 30 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli captive to include more Palestinian detainees rounded up from Gaza.
The other 72 Palestinians set to be released Saturday were serving long or life sentences on alleged national security charges. Of that group, 32 hail from the occupied West Bank, where families and friends anxiously awaited their return on Saturday, and another 39 came from Gaza.
Under the ceasefire agreement, seven prisoners serving life sentences will be transferred to Egypt before further deportation.
As part of the ceasefire deal, Israel has agreed to release about 1,000 Palestinians from Gaza who have been held without trial since the Gaza war began.
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