Three buses of freed Palestinians arrive in Gaza's Khan Yunis

Three buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners arrived in Khan Yunis on Saturday as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, an AFP correspondent reported.

Hundreds of Gazans gathered to welcome the prisoners, many of whom wore gray prison uniforms as they stepped off the buses near the city's European Hospital. The detainees underwent medical checks before heading to their homes.

"In blood and spirit, we shall redeem you, prisoner!" the crowd chanted as the men left the buses one by one. Some prisoners stuck their heads out of windows, searching for relatives or exchanging words with onlookers.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners' Club in Ramallah, 150 of the 183 detainees released Saturday were transferred to Gaza. The others were released to the West Bank.

A Hamas official, speaking anonymously, hailed the release as a victory.

"This is a new day of victory for our people. Today, a new group of our heroes is being released, seeing freedom despite the occupation's will," he told AFP.

Among those arriving in Khan Yunis were 111 detainees arrested by Israel after October 7, 2023. A Hamas official stated that they had no direct connection to the Al-Aqsa Flood, the Hamas-led attack that sparked the ongoing conflict.

The prisoner release came in exchange for three Israeli hostages freed earlier Saturday, including two who were handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Yunis. The buses entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The ceasefire brokered through international mediation, has allowed for prisoner exchanges and humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. However, uncertainty remains over how long the truce will hold amid ongoing tensions.