Jubilation as freed Palestinians arrive in Gaza

MITZPE HILA: Expressions of joy and celebration could be seen across the West Bank and Gaza following the release of 477 prisoners, the first of some 1,027 Palestinians who will be freed under terms of a landmark prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

The long-awaited prisoner swap operation, which was announced by Israel and Hamas last week, kicked off before dawn when hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were bused to drop-off points

Among those released were hundreds of Palestinians who were serving cruel life sentences after being wrongly convicted of involvement in deadly attacks.