Israel, Hamas complete latest ceasefire swap as Rafah crossing opens for Gaza wounded
Hamas freed three hostages in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday and Israel released scores of Palestinian prisoners in a fourth round of exchanges as part the Gaza ceasefire deal. The swap came as sick and wounded Palestinian children began crossing to Egypt for treatment through Gazaās Rafah crossing in the first opening of the border since Israel captured it nearly nine months ago.
Freed Palestinian inmates were greeted by a cheering crowd in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah Saturday, after Hamas released three Israeli hostages from the Gaza Strip in the fourth exchange under the group's ceasefire deal with Israel.
Three other buses carrying freed Palestinians also arrived in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, with the inmates in grey prison uniforms met by hundreds of well-wishers.
In Ramallah, the bus carrying the inmates struggled to make its way through the jubilant throng of supporters as it arrived from the Israeli-run Ofer Prison.
Several of the freed inmates were hoisted onto the crowd's shoulders, including an elderly man who raised his crutches over his head in a triumphant pose.
Israel's military later confirmed that all three were back in Israel.
French-Israeli hostage Kalderon's uncle Shemi told AFP: "We have waited for this moment for a very long time."
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