First Palestinians released from Israeli prisons under ceasefire deal

The first Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, according to Palestinian reports.

A number of those released from Israeli prisons have arrived with their families in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian Authority press office said on Sunday.

There was initially no official confirmation from Israeli authorities.

Some 90 prisoners were expected to be released on Sunday, hours after Hamas freed three Israeli women who had been held hostage in the Gaza Strip since the October 7, 2023 attacks.

In the first phase of the agreement, 33 hostages are to be exchanged for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners.

The prisoners set to be released are mainly considered to be Hamas fighters who were captured during the war in Gaza but were not involved in the October 7 attacks.

The other 737 Palestinians to be released were imprisoned for minor offences such as stone-throwing in the West Bank or illegal border crossing, illicit possession of weapons or other infractions.

According to reports, Israel wants to prevent any celebrations after the release of the prisoners.

Families have reportedly been threatened with punishment if they hold celebrations, with only parents and siblings allowed to welcome the released Palestinians.

The first Palestinians have been released from Israeli prisons as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas, according to Palestinian reports.

A number of those released from Israeli prisons have arrived with their families in East Jerusalem, the Palestinian Authority press office said on Sunday.

There was initially no official confirmation from Israeli authorities.

Some 90 prisoners were expected to be released on Sunday, hours after Hamas freed three Israeli women who had been held hostage in the Gaza Strip since the October 7, 2023 attacks.

In the first phase of the agreement, 33 hostages are to be exchanged for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners.

The prisoners set to be released are mainly considered to be Hamas fighters who were captured during the war in Gaza but were not involved in the October 7 attacks.

The other 737 Palestinians to be released were imprisoned for minor offences such as stone-throwing in the West Bank or illegal border crossing, illicit possession of weapons or other infractions.

According to reports, Israel wants to prevent any celebrations after the release of the prisoners.

Families have reportedly been threatened with punishment if they hold celebrations, with only parents and siblings allowed to welcome the released Palestinians.