Israel releases 200 Palestinian prisoners

Israel's prison service confirmed on Saturday that it had released 200 Palestinian prisoners as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal, which earlier saw Hamas free four Israeli hostages.

"After the conclusion of the necessary activities in the prisons and the approval of political authorities, all the Palestinian prisoners were released from the Ofer and Ktziot prisons," the statement said, adding that a total of 200 prisoners had been freed.

Crowds of Palestinians erupted in joy as they welcomed dozens of Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel who arrived aboard buses in Ramallah, a AFP journalist reported.

Stepping off the bus in grey tracksuits, many prisoners were raised onto the shoulders of people waiting, while others walked through the crowd.