GAZA RAMALLAH (PIC)– Hundreds of freed captives arrived at noon Tuesday into the Gaza Strip as the implementation of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal reaches the final stage.
PIC correspondent said that coaches carrying the captives crossed the border amidst a huge popular and official reception headed by the Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haneyya his ministers and faction leaders.
A guard of honour performed in honour of the freed captives.
Two hundred and ninety six freed captives were due to enter the Gaza Strip 131 of them from the Gaza Strip and 163 from the West Bank who were freed on condition of being exiled to the Gaza Strip for varying periods.
Meanwhile a round a Hundred and thirty freed captives arrived Tuesday afternoon to the Muqataa in Ramallah.
They were received by PA President Mahmoud Abbas and leaders of Hamas in the West Bank.
Meanwhile the Israeli authorities announced that Gilad Shalit is on his way to Tel Nov military base to the south of Tel Aviv.
550 Palestinian captives are also due for release in two months according to the exchange deal.
