Israel freed 90 Palestinian prisoners and detainees early on Monday, hours after three Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity in Gaza returned to Israel. Large white buses carrying the detainees exited the gates of Israel’s Ofer prison, just outside the West Bank city of Ramallah, as celebratory fireworks erupted overhead. Crowds of Palestinians thronged the buses, chanting and cheering.
According to a list provided by the Palestinian Authority’s Commission for Prisoners’ Affairs, all of those released were women or minors. Israel detained all of the people on the list for what it said were offences related to the country’s security, from throwing stones to more serious accusations such as attempt to murder.
The Israeli military, which occupies the West Bank, repeatedly warned Palestinians against any form of public celebration.