Israel has released several hundred Palestinian detainees to complete a pledge to release 900 prisoners as part of a February ceasefire deal.
The first of the 398 prisoners being released arrived early today in the West Bank city of Tulkarem. Others were being released at different crossing points in the West Bank and Gaza.
The prisoners got off Israeli buses and began kissing the ground.
In a gesture to the Palestinians, some 90 of the prisoners released had completed only a fraction of their sentences. Some of the prisoners were charged with attempted shootings, preparing explosives and assisting attempted murder.
In past releases, Israel has usually freed only prisoners near the end of their terms who were being held for minor crimes.
Palestinians are demanding the release of all 8,000 detainees held by Israel. But Israel refuses to free prisoners it claims were directly involved in attacks on Israelis.
AP