Israel releases first batch of 90 Palestinian prisoners under ceasefire deal

Several buses left Ofer prison at 1am local time (2300 GMT on Sunday) after issues related to verifying the list of names were resolved.

20 Jan 2025 11:18am

Palestinian youths raise national flags along with Hamas (green) and Hezbollah (yellow) banners as they sit atop a Red Cross bus carrying some 90 prisoners set free by Israel in the early hours of Jan 20 in the occupied West Bank town of Beitunia, on the outskirts of Ramallah. Photo by Zain Jaafar/AFP

RAMALLAH - Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners from Ofer prison, located west of Ramallah in the West Bank, early on Monday, just hours after three Israeli hostages returned to Israel following their release from Hamas captivity in Gaza.

Eyewitnesses and local Palestinian sources said that several buses left Ofer prison at 1am local time (2300 GMT on Sunday) after issues related to verifying the list of names were resolved.

The Hamas-affiliated Prisoners' Media Office confirmed that the release process had started after an agreement was reached on the lists.

A statement mentioned that buses from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) transported the prisoners, including both men and women, from Ofer prison to Palestinian Authority-controlled areas.

Hundreds of Palestinians, including families of the prisoners, gathered near the prison to welcome the released prisoners.

The area around the prison witnessed heightened tension after several journalists and Palestinian citizens were assaulted by Israeli forces, who used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Among the 90 released prisoners are women from East Jerusalem and minors under 18.

This prisoner release is part of a Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that took effect on Sunday. - XINHUA