First group of Israelis and Palestinians freed under breakthrough Israel-Hamas truce
The first group of prisoners released by Israel and Hamas, as part of a breakthrough truce deal, included 26 Palestinians and 2 Israelis who are being exchanged. The Palestinian prisoners, who were detained for security offences, include 11 minor inmates, the rest are aged between 18 and 66.
The Palestinian prisoners include 10 jailed for their involvement in a prisoner swap with Hamas in 2011 and 16 political prisoners who were detained before the exchange took place.
On the other hand, the two Israeli citizens released were Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who both crossed into Gaza in 2014 and were believed to be held by Hamas.
The prisoner exchange has been seen as a significant step towards reaching a long-term ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.