Storyline: Crowds welcomed the return of freed Palestinian prisoners and detainees with tears and cries of joy as buses carrying their loved ones entered the war-torn territory on Monday as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. A new prisoner exchange took place on Monday under the latest ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel. Hamas handed over 20 Israeli captives alive along with several bodies. Dozens of Palestinian prisoners were released and returned to Gaza to reunite with their families after years of imprisonment. Buses of the International Committee of the Red Cross arrived in southern Gaza's Khan Yunis carrying the freed Palestinian prisoners. There were tears, joy, and long-awaited reunions after months and years of separation. Residents gathered at the reception site waving Palestinian flags and holding photos of their detained family members, cheering as the buses approached. For many, the joy of the homecoming was tempered by the anguish of those still not free. "My son was arrested five months ago at the U.S. aid distribution site in Netzarim. He went there looking for his brother who had been detained earlier, and they arrested him, too. Now, I'm so happy he's finally free," said Amneh Abu Mousa, mother of a released Palestinian prisoner. The latest exchange included dozens of Palestinian prisoners, many of them from Gaza who had been detained during the recent conflict. They described harsh conditions inside Israeli prisons, including poor treatment, overcrowding, and the denial of basic human rights. "The conditions were extremely harsh, beatings, hunger, and illness. We lived two years with multiple diseases. Even the bed caused us scabies. They made us go hungry and let us sleep on a bed full of fleas," said Moath Zoweidi, a released Palestinian prisoner The suffering of the prisoners mirrors the hardships endured by their families in Gaza, where people faced destruction, hunger, and loss. For many here, both life under bombardment and life behind bars shared the same pain and struggle. "We were freed through the exchange deal, and now we're back with our families. The feeling of life and freedom is completely different from the loneliness of prison, the shouting of the jailers and their torture. But thank God, the war in Gaza has ended, being with my family again and being able to see them in good shape is the greatest reward," said Mohammad, another released Palestinian prisoner. According to Palestinian prisoner associations, by early October 2025, Israel was holding more than 11,100 Palestinian detainees, including 52 women and around 400 children. With each exchange, families continue to hope that their loved ones will soon be among those released. Shotlist: Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip - Oct 13, 2025: 1. Various of crowds welcoming vehicles carrying released detainees 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Amneh Abu Mousa, mother of released Palestinian prisoner: "My son was arrested five months ago at the U.S. aid distribution site in Netzarim. He went there looking for his brother who had been detained earlier, and they arrested him, too. Now, I'm so happy he's finally free." 3. Various of crowds welcoming vehicles carrying released detainees 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Moath Zoweidi, released Palestinian prisoner: "The conditions were extremely harsh, beatings, hunger, and illness. We lived two years with multiple diseases. Even the bed caused us scabies. They made us go hungry and let us sleep on a bed full of fleas." 5. Bus carrying released detainees moving 6. Freed detainees getting off bus 7. Various of freed detainees having reunion with family 8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammad (full name not given), released Palestinian prisoner: "We were freed through the exchange deal, and now we're back with our families. The feeling of life and freedom is completely different from the loneliness of prison, the shouting of the jailers and their torture. But thank God, the war in Gaza has ended, being with my family again and being able to see them in good shape is the greatest reward." 9. Various of crowds waving flags. [No access Chinese mainland]