Overview

• Israel’s Justice Ministry said the releases covered about 1,700 people seized in Gaza during the war and 250 prisoners serving sentences, with detainees processed on arrival.
• The exchange followed Hamas freeing the last 20 living hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks.
• Hamas and officials reported that 154 of those released were deported to Egypt, with authorities indicating onward transfers to third countries.
• Large crowds greeted the buses in Khan Younis and Ramallah as returnees underwent medical checks, while Israeli forces warned against public celebrations and fired tear gas near Ofer Prison.
• Rights group HaMoked reported roughly 1,300 Palestinians from Gaza remain in Israeli custody, and high-profile detainees such as Marwan Barghouti were not included.