More than 100 Palestinians freed from Israeli jails arrive in Gaza

More than 100 Palestinian prisoners freed from Israeli jails on Saturday under a ceasefire deal returned to the Gaza Strip, where they were greeted by cheering crowds, an AFP correspondent reported.

The released Gazans were among a total of 183 prisoners freed by Israel on Saturday in exchange for three hostages freed by Hamas.

Israel and Hamas completed their fifth hostage-prisoner swap under a fragile Gaza ceasefire deal on Saturday.

The fifth exchange since the truce took effect last month comes as negotiations are set to begin on the next phase of the ceasefire, which should pave the way for a permanent end to the war.

Saturday’s swap also follows remarks by President Donald Trump suggesting the United States should take over the Gaza Strip and clear out its inhabitants, sparking global outrage.

Or Levy, Ohad Ben Ami and Eli Sharabi, who were all seized by militants during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war, “crossed the border into Israeli territory” on Saturday, the Israeli military said.

With their return, 73 out of 251 hostages taken during the attack now remain in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.