Celebrations in the West Bank as first batch of Palestinian prisoners released

Celebrations broke out in parts of the West Bank after a truce mediated by Qatar between Israel and Hamas led to the freeing of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. The 39 released Palestinians were taken from Ofer prison by coach to the West Bank where they were welcomed by large crowds. Laith Othman, one of the released prisoner said: ’I can’t express my feelings now, thanks to God.’ Earlier on Friday, 24 hostages were released by Hamas, including 13 Israeli citizens, 10 Thais and one citizen from Philippines. They were transported by International Red Cross to the Egyptian border Israel-Hamas war – live updates Israel and Hamas have strong reasons not to extend Gaza ceasefire Thailand’s PM says 12 of its citizens held hostage by Hamas have been freed