STORY: 369 Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails: Palestinian sources
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 15, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 16, 2025
LENGTH: 00:02:25
LOCATION: GAZA, Palestine
CATEGORY: MILITARY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Palestinian prisoners arriving in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip

STORYLINE:

Israeli authorities on Saturday released 369 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of the sixth batch of prisoner-for-hostage exchanges between Israel and Hamas.

Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, told Xinhua that the freed prisoners included 36 individuals who had been serving life sentences and 333 detainees who Israel had arrested in the Gaza Strip following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack.

Palestinian sources and eyewitnesses said that the prisoners were received by family members and Red Cross workers in the courtyard of the Ramallah Cultural Palace.

Before the release, eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces stormed the city of Beitunia to the west of Ramallah. This action served to prevent Palestinians from assembling near the gate of Ofer prison, where the prisoners were being freed.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad, both Palestinian groups, released earlier on Saturday three Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza. The Israeli authorities have confirmed the hostages' arrival in Israel.

Under the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, effective since Jan. 19 and spanning six weeks, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians. So far, 19 Israeli hostages have been released along with five Thais.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Gaza, Palestine.
(XHTV)