Israel has released 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for four Israeli soldiers as part of a prisoner swap agreement. This release took place on Saturday, January 25, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

Upon their release, large crowds gathered in Ramallah to welcome the freed prisoners, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans. They surrounded the convoy carrying the released prisoners as a show of support.

Hamas confirmed that four Israeli soldiers were freed from Gaza, and in return, Israel released 200 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas also published the list of the released detainees, which includes both long-term prisoners and those with long sentences. According to Al Jazeera, among the released prisoners, 121 had received life sentences, while 79 were serving lengthy prison terms. The oldest of the freed prisoners is 69 years old, while the youngest is just 15.

Earlier, as part of a ceasefire agreement, Israel had released 90 Palestinian prisoners on January 19 in exchange for three hostages. At the time, Reuters reported that most of the released Palestinian prisoners had been recently detained, and no formal charges or sentences had been announced against them. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, with the entire exchange to be completed within six weeks.

The agreement stipulates that Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes, and humanitarian aid trucks will be permitted to enter Gaza daily.

In the second phase of the deal, Hamas will free the remaining Israeli hostages, and Israeli forces will fully withdraw from Gaza. The third phase involves the reconstruction of Gaza, which is expected to take several years, along with the return of the bodies of deceased Israeli hostages.