Palestinian families rejoice over release of minors and women in wartime prisoner swap

By ISABEL DEBRE
Associated Press

BEITUNIA, West Bank (AP) — More than three dozen Palestinian prisoners have returned home to a hero’s welcome in the occupied West Bank following their release from Israeli prisons as part of a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. The procession of freed prisoners, some accused of minor offenses and others convicted in attacks, stoked massive crowds of Palestinians into a chanting, clapping, hand-waving, screaming frenzy. The cease-fire agreement between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers involves the exchange, over four days, of 150 Palestinian minors and women in Israeli prison for 50 Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Most Palestinians expected to be released Friday and in the coming days are young men arrested over incitement and stone-throwing.