26 Palestinian prisoners were released on Tuesday night as part of an Israeli gesture to the Palestinian Authority following the resumpton of peace talks, YNet News reported.
Two convoys left the Ayalon Prison Tuesday night on their way to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The first convoy had carried 15 prisoners. The second carried 11. The prisoners were transported in vans with tinted windows at about midnight on Tuesday evening.
Some Israeli activists have been protesting the release of the prisoners since the announcement was made a couple of weeks ago. As the convoys passed by in Ramle, some tried to block their way but were soon removed from the area.
In Ramallah, a crowd of 1,000 people gathered at a compound to mark a welcome ceremony for prisoners whom were involved in heinous crimes against Israelis in the past 20 years.
Tuesday's release is the first of four phases which will see some more than 100 prisoners freed.
"There is no dispute that the issue at hand is difficult and sensitive. Our hearts go out to the families of the terror victims," Israel Supreme Court President Asher Gruni said in a statement.
It is unclear whether the 26 men were asked to sign a paper to pledge they will not engage in terrorist activity, as in past cases.
Police cars and motorcycles will escort the prisoners' convoy on its way to the checkpoints.
The Hamas government government issued a ban against celebrations by the Fatah movement. The government said that a special welcoming ceremony will be held later in the week, YNet also reported.
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