Released Palestinian prisoners were met with cheers in the occupied West Bank, marking the final exchange of the first phase of a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas. Buses carrying Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons also arrived in Gaza’s Khan Younis days after Israel had originally refused to release them.

Hamas hands over the bodies of four Israelis held in Gaza to the Red Cross as part of the last scheduled exchange in the first phase of the ceasefire deal. Simultaneously, the first bus carrying dozens of freed Palestinians prisoners from the Ofer Prison arrives in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

Crowds gathered in Gaza and the occupied West Bank as Palestinian detainees released from Israeli jails arrived. Israel had delayed the release of the detainees over the weekend, citing Hamas’ hostage handover ceremonies,

Trump suggests that Ukraine may be to blame for conflict with Russia; Palestinians flee northern West Bank amid Israeli crackdown on militants; Hamas says more hostages will be released; Winter storm heads for East Coast.

Hamas says it won’t rejoin talks until Israel releases 620 Palestinians, as the Gaza ceasefire hangs by a thread.

It is the final release of hostages and prisoners in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, which began last month.

Hamas described Israel’s actions as “a serious violation of international law and a blatant war crime committed in full view of the world.”

The Government Media Office updated its death toll to at least 61,709, saying thousands of Palestinians missing under the rubble are presumed dead. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7,

A poll conducted by Maariv showed that 70% of Israelis support implementing the second phase of the prisoner exchange deal.

At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and more than 200 taken captive. For more on Israel’s continued attacks in the occupied West Bank, see here. Read here about how and why pro-Palestine protests on US campuses are growing smaller.

Hamas returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages to the Red Cross and some of the 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees have been released into the West Bank to their families, marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal.