Israel has released 200 Palestinian prisoners following the release of four female Israeli soldiers held by the Palestinian armed group Hamas. On Saturday, some of the Palestinian prisoners arrived in Gaza and the West Bank, greeted by jubilant families and crowds celebrating in the streets. Huang Yue reports.
Thousands of people flooded the streets of Gaza as Palestinian prisoners released by Israel were brought in by Red Cross vehicles.
SAMOUD AL-ZA'ANIN Palestinian refugee "This is the greatest victory and joy for the Palestinian people, despite the pain, death, hunger and genocide. It is the greatest joy for the people of Palestine. This is a cry from the sister of a prisoner who has been imprisoned for 17 years. There is no greater joy than this."
NAHDA BALOUSHA Wife of freed Palestinian prisoner "We were dreaming that this day would come without destruction and war. We waited for the deal to be completed for many years, day by day and month by month."
ABDUL RAHMAN BALOUSHA Freed Palestinian prisoner "After this war, destruction and sacrifices, thank God I was able to see my family well and reassure myself about them. 11 years of absence is something that cannot be described. I feel like I am in a situation that was imaginary at one point."
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Red Cross buses carrying released Palestinian prisoners struggled to move through streets packed with people.
RIYAD ARAFAT Freed Palestinian prisoner "My feeling is indescribable. Thank God, and thank you to our people in the Gaza Strip. The prisoners inside Israeli prisons are in torment. I lost 15 kilograms."
IHAB AL-SHARAFA Freed Palestinian prisoner "Until now I feel like I am still in an unbelievable dream. I thank God for getting out of the grave in which I was buried for 23 years. I send my greetings to our people in the Gaza Strip and we hope that conditions will improve."
RAED BADWAN Freed Palestinian prisoner "I extend my greetings and thanks to all the people. Here in the West Bank and the Arab and Islamic world, and I thank the men of the resistance."
More than half of the 200 Palestinian prisoners released in this round were serving life sentences in Israeli prisons.
Israel says around 70 of the detainees had committed serious offences, and would be sent into exile through Egypt to neighboring countries.
Huang Yue, CGTN.