A total of 200 Palestinian prisoners have been released to jubilant scenes in the West Bank after Israel freed them in exchange for four female hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Report informs via BBC.

More than half of the 200 released had been serving life sentences in Israeli jails – some were convicted of multiple murders, including the killing of Israeli civilians. Others were never charged with a crime.

Around 70 of the most serious offenders were deported via Egypt to neighbouring countries, including Qatar and Türkiye.

A smaller number will be sent to Gaza. The rest – just over 120 – will be allowed to return to their homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.