Ramallah, Oct 13 (Petra) – Israeli occupation authorities Monday released 83 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences from a West Bank detention center, part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross earlier confirmed it received 20 Israeli hostages after their release by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in two groups, and handed them over to Israeli occupation authorities.

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club said Israeli forces fired tear gas and stun grenades against families of prisoners gathered outside Ofer prison, west of Ramallah, to welcomed loved ones after their release.

Also part of the first phase, the Israeli military released the second batch of Palestinian detainees from the Gaza Strip held at Ketziot jail in the Negev, transferring hundreds of detainees in 38 buses with 10 ambulances to Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis.

They were welcomed by families and crowds, and many of them were taken for medical tests and treatment.

The second batch includes 154 prisoners with life or high terms, who will be transferred from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, as well as 1,718 detainees from Gaza who were arrested after the October 7, 2023 war.

//Petra//SS