Israel releases first batch of Palestinian prisoners

The Israeli authorities freed on Sunday overnight dozens of Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, from Ofer prison, west of Ramallah city in the occupied West Bank, as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

A three-phase ceasefire agreement was inked between Hamas and Israel, with international and regional mediation, that included a halt of fighting and attacks and the release of Israeli hostages in return for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners from Tel Aviv jails.

Buses bearing the ICRC logo, accompanied by ICRC vehicles, were seen leaving the prison carrying Palestinian prisoners to their areas.

Among those released was Popular Front leader Khalida Jarrar, who her family received in Ramallah, as well as the journalist Bushra al-Tawil, who arrived at her home in the city of al-Bireh.

Israel released a number of prisoners directly to their homes in the city of Jerusalem, where Palestinian human rights organizations confirmed the names of 90 prisoners, including 20 children and youth, who were included in the first phase of the agreement.