Nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners set for release as crowds gather in Gaza

All 1,966 Palestinian detainees slated for release from Israeli prisons have boarded buses as part of a large-scale prisoner exchange with Hamas, officials involved in the operation confirmed on Monday.

The releases come as part of the ongoing deal tied to the return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

According to Israeli sources, around 250 convicted prisoners, including several serving sentences for terror-related offenses, are being released from Ofer Prison, located between Ramallah and Beitunia in the West Bank.

Their release is expected to proceed once Hamas hands over the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.

Reports from Arabic media indicate that Palestinian Red Crescent medical teams entered Ofer Prison earlier today to assist in transferring a sick security prisoner also scheduled for release.

Another 1,718 detainees from Ketziot Prison in southern Israel, mostly Gazans arrested during the course of the war, are also being freed and transported back to the Gaza Strip.

They are expected to be received at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, where initial medical checks will be conducted.

Footage obtained by Reuters shows about a dozen masked gunmen dressed in black, believed to be members of Hamas’s armed wing, stationed around Nasser Hospital alongside large crowds of Gazans gathered to welcome the released detainees.

Armored Israeli military vehicles were seen positioned near Ofer Prison earlier in the day, showing a heightened security during the exchange process.