Source: The Times of Israel citing the Israeli prison service
Details: According to reports from Palestinians, some of those released were taken to Ramallah and their homes in East Jerusalem.
On the eve of the return of Israeli hostages, the prison service transported the first group of Palestinian prisoners to Ofer Prison in the West Bank, where Israeli security forces and representatives from the Red Cross verified each prisoner’s identity and conducted medical examinations before releasing them in coordination with security forces and the government.
Among the prisoners were 78 residents of the West Bank, released at the Beituniya checkpoint near Ofer Prison.
Another 12 residents of East Jerusalem were transferred back to the city and released to their homes from the "Russian Complex" prison.
Among those released were 69 women, including one minor, eight teenage boys, and 12 men convicted of relatively minor offenses such as incitement, association with terrorism, and public order violations.
Overall, it is planned to release nearly 2,000 prisoners during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.
What preceded this: HAMAS handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza City, marking the first hostage release since the ceasefire took effect.
Background:
- On January 16, in Doha, Qatar, an agreement was officially signed between Israel and HAMAS regarding the release of hostages held in Gaza and the initiation of a ceasefire.
- On January 17, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that negotiating teams from Israel and HAMAS signed the agreement.
- On January 19, Israel announced the implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza after HAMAS provided a list of three hostages to be released on Sunday.