A third batch of 39 Palestinian prisoners has been freed as the exchange of captives between Palestinian resistance and Israel continues for a third day under a four-day truce deal.
Large crowds of Palestinians took to the streets in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on Sunday night as they waited for Red Cross buses carrying the prisoners.
Palestinian flags alongside the flags of the Hamas Movement were raised. Some youth climbed on top of a white bus transporting mostly young men and some female prisoners.
Meanwhile in nearby Beitunia where some Palestinians had also gathered three Palestinians aged 15 18 and 33 were injured after Israeli forces fired live rounds the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said. Two children aged 11 and 13 were admitted to a hospital for tear-gas inhalation the PRCS added.
Earlier on Sunday 13 Israeli captives were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of the truce deal.
A Russian man was among those released “in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts and in recognition of Russia’s position in support of Palestine” Hamas said in a statement.
Around 150 Palestinian prisoners and 50 Israeli captives held in Gaza are to be released over four days under the truce deal.
