(VOVWORLD) -Israel released 183 prisoners on Saturday in the fourth prisoner-hostage exchange under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which is more than double the previously announced number of 90 people.
 People return home in northern Gaza after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas takes effect (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) |
The list includes 72 prisoners taken before Hamas's offensive on Israel on October 7, 2023 and 111 detained after Israel's operation in Gaza.
Since the ceasefire came into effect on January 19, Hamas has released 15 hostages after more than 15 months of captivity. Meanwhile, Israel has freed hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including many women and adolescents.
Following the prison-hostage exchange, the Rafah border crossing in Gaza has reopened. The crossing, which connects Gaza to Egypt, is a critical entry point into Palestine and a key route for humanitarian aid. It had been closed since Israeli forces took control of the Palestinian side in May 2024.