Israel has started releasing Palestinian prisoners following the return of the final Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip, according to television footage.
The first buses carrying the released detainees departed Ofer Prison on Monday in the West Bank, near Jerusalem, heading to Ramallah.
Under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Israel plans to free around 1,700 Palestinians detained since October 7, 2023, including approximately 250 prisoners serving long or life sentences.
Footage showed Israeli security forces using tear gas on crowds, including journalists, gathered near the prison ahead of the release. The military has also warned that celebrations by the released prisoners or their families are prohibited.
Earlier on Monday, Hamas handed over the last 20 surviving Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross, returning them to Israel after 738 days in captivity.
The 20 hostages were among 251 people abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in attacks that killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and sparked the Gaza war.
