ISRAEL RELEASES 32 PALESTINIANS FROM WEST BANK IN PRISONER SWAP DEAL

RAMALLAH (Palestine), Feb 1 (Bernama-AA) -- Thirty-two Palestinians were released from Israeli jails on Saturday as part of the fourth batch of the prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

The freed prisoners were handed over to the International Red Cross from the Ofer Prison facility near Ramallah in the central occupied West Bank, in line with the terms of the ceasefire and prisoner swap deal that took effect on Jan 19.

According to an Anadolu correspondent, hundreds of Palestinians gathered near the Ramallah Cultural Palace to welcome the freed prisoners, waving Palestinian flags and chanting in support of the Palestinian resistance and Gaza.

Despite earlier warnings by the Israeli army, the crowd gathered to receive the prisoners, who raised victory signs in defiance of Israeli orders.

Many of the released prisoners appeared in poor health and with frail bodies, with some barely able to walk.

They were taken to hospitals in Ramallah for medical checks and treatment, the Anadolu correspondent added.

Earlier, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, released three captives from Gaza and handed them over to the Red Cross.

A total of 183 Palestinians are expected to be released on Saturday from Israeli jails, including 111 who were arrested by the Israeli army in Gaza after Oct 7, 2023, according to the Hamas-run Prisoners' Information Office.

Among those freed, 18 Palestinians were serving life sentences, while 54 were serving long-term sentences, the office said.

-- BERNAMA-AA