Thousands of Gaza residents gathered Monday morning at the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, to welcome back Palestinian detainees released by Israel as part of a ceasefire agreement. Emotional scenes unfolded as buses carrying the freed Palestinians arrived in the city in southern Gaza. Some waved Palestinian flags while others held up photos of their loved ones. "Like every other family, the knowledge that our child's name was on the release list filled our family with unspeakable joy. We hope that those who have yet to be released this time can be returned to their families in the next round of release," said Hamid, a father who was waiting at the scene for his child. In the afternoon, buses carrying the released individuals arrived at the Nasser Medical Complex. According to arrangements by the Gaza health authorities, the released Palestinians were scheduled to undergo medical examinations upon arrival. Some released detainees recounted the inhumane treatment they endured in Israeli prisons, with many saying they had never dared to dream of regaining freedom. "I'm very much thrilled right now. I'm back to my family, to the land of my home country. I am relieved that I came back, but some of my companions can never return. I will dedicate myself to rebuilding our home," said Dubsa, a released Palestinian detainee. The Hamas-run Prisoners' Information Office said the ongoing exchange includes the release of about 250 prisoners serving life or long-term sentences in Israeli jails, as well as more than 1,700 others from Gaza detained after Oct. 7, 2023. SHOTLIST: Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip - Oct 13, 2025 1. Various of crowds welcoming vehicles carrying released detainees; 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hamid, father of released detainee (full name not given): "Like every other family, the knowledge that our child's name was on the release list filled our family with unspeakable joy. We hope that those who have yet to be released this time can be returned to their families in the next round of release."; 3. Various of released detainees on bus, crowds welcoming them; 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Dubsa, released detainee (full name not given): "I'm very much thrilled right now. I'm back to my family, to the land of my home country. I am relieved that I came back, but some of my companions can never return. I will dedicate myself to rebuilding our home."; 5. Various of released detainees walking, shaking hands, hugging. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]