Ninety Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons were greeted by crowds of jubilant relatives, friends and supporters as they returned to their homes in the occupied West Bank in Israel’s first prisoner exchange. Hamas and Israel ceasefire after release Three Israeli prisoners in Gaza.

At around 1 a.m. local time on Monday (23:00 GMT), the Red Cross Bus carrying 90 Palestinian prisoners They arrived in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, where they were welcomed by thousands of people despite warnings from the Israeli army that they would not be allowed to celebrate.

The freed Palestinians included 69 women and 21 teenage boys, some as young as 12, from the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem.

They include 62-year-old Khalida Jarrar, a leading member of the left-wing Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who was held in solitary confinement for six months under “administrative detention,” which allowed Israeli authorities to The suspect may be sentenced to indefinite imprisonment upon charge or court.

In the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, crowds lifted many returning prisoners onto their shoulders in a show of support, while others shouted and whistled. Some rallygoers carried flags of Fatah, Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other armed resistance groups.

Seven hours ago, three Israeli female captives in their late 20s and early 30s were released in Gaza.

Palestinian journalist Bushra al-Tawil, imprisoned in Israel since March 2024, was among the prisoners released on Monday.

Tavel said her journey began at 3am (01:00 GMT) on Sunday, when she was taken from another Israeli prison ahead of her release. In the second prison, she was held with other Palestinians awaiting release.

“The waiting has been very difficult. But thank God we are sure that we will be released at any time,” she said.

Tavel said her father, who is also in an Israeli prison, will be released soon.

“I’m worried about him. He’s still a prisoner, but I’ve just received the good news that as part of the agreement, he will be released,” she added.

Amanda Abu Sharkh, 23, from Ramallah, was among hundreds of people who gathered to greet the released prisoners.

“We are here to witness this and feel the emotion, just like the families of the prisoners being released today,” Abu Shah said.

“All the prisoners released today are like family to us. They are part of us, even if they are not blood relatives,” she told AFP.

Mohammed, 20, said he came from Ramallah with friends as soon as he heard the prisoners would be released.

He himself was recently released from Israel’s Ofer prison and said he was “very happy” at the thought of his family being reunited.

“I know a lot of people in prison, including innocent people, children and women,” he said.

The prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel is the first of its kind since November 2023.

The exact number of Palestinians to be released as part of the ceasefire remains unknown, with reported estimates ranging from about 1,000 to nearly 2,000.

In the first phase of the deal, Hamas is expected to repatriate a total of 33 Israeli captives over the next 42 days, with the next release scheduled for Saturday.

The second phase of ceasefire negotiations will begin in two weeks.

More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7, and nearly 90% of Gaza’s population has been forcibly displaced by Israeli evacuation orders and attacks.