Israel has released 26 long-serving Palestinian prisoners under the terms of an American-brokered deal which cleared the way for current peace talks. It is the third group to be freed.
The Israeli operations to free the prisoners follow a familiar pattern, the BBC reports. The men are driven late at night to checkpoints leading into Gaza and the West Bank or to East Jerusalem.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greeted the released prisoners in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Photo: AFP
Palestinians celebrate these releases as victories over Israel - something deeply resented by families of Israeli victims of political violence.
During previous releases, the Israeli government has sugared what the right-wing parties within its coalition regard as a bitter pill by making announcements about settlement plans on the West Bank - the very territory where Palestinians aspire to build a new state.
Israel approved the releases on Saturday, but they were delayed to allow victims' families to appeal.
The prisoners committed murder or attempted murder before the 1993 Oslo accords and have served 19 to 28 years. They make up the third tranche of a total of 104 prisoners to be freed.
Surrounded by cheering crowds, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met some of the 26 men in Ramallah on Monday. He previously hailed 52 men released in August and October this year as heroes of the Palestinian cause.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision to release the prisoners was not taken easily.
"Leadership is being judged by its ability to execute tough decisions - decisions which are taken no matter how tough they are. We were not elected to represent the State of Israel to take on decisions which are easy to make.
"The State of Israel has a strategic interest in negotiations, which aim to reach an agreement which will end the conflict."
