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First batch of Palestinian prisoners freed

As peace talks begin, Israel released 15 Palestinian prisoners to Gaza and another 11 to the West Bank.

A police truck drives out of of Ayalon prison on August 13, 2013 in the city of Ramla, hours before Israel released 26 Palestinian prisoners.
By Oren Ziv
Published On 14 Aug 2013

Early on Wednesday, Israel released 26 Palestinian prisoners – 15 to Gaza and 11 to West Bank – as part of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. The release happened just hours before the first official meeting between the negotiation teams.  

Israeli media reported the release took place later at night in order to avoid big celebrations among Palestinians, and to minimise publications in the newspaper the following day.

All but one of the prisoners were jailed before the Palestinian Authority was formed in 1994.

The prisoners released to the West Bank arrived at the headquarters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, where their families waited for hours to meet them.

Meanwhile, outside Israel’s Ayalon prison in the city of Ramla, right-wing activists and family members of Jewish prisoners who murdered Palestinians protested, demanding that their relatives also be released.

Rachel and Ofra Popper, the mother and sister of prisoner Ami Popper, who murdered 7 Palestinians on 1990, protest with Israeli right-wing activists outside Aylon prison to demand the release of their relatives. The protest came in response to Israel(***)s freeing of 26 Palestinian prisoners.
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Palestinian families prepare to their recently released relatives after more than 20 years of incarceration.  
Shadows of Palestinians are reflected on a wall of Israel(***)s Ofer military prison, as they wait for the release of 11 Palestinians.
Palestinian women sing and dance as they wait for the arrival of 11 prisoners, in the headquarters of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
Palestinian youth wait for the arrival of the prisoners. All but one of the released prisoners were jailed before the Palestinian Authority was formed in 1994.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delivers a speech to released Palestinian prisoners at his Ramallah headquarters.
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A released Palestinian prisoner meets his family members.
Twenty-six Palestinian prisoners will be released, 15 to Gaza and 11 sent to West Bank, as part of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Palestinian soldiers walk as fireworks explode at the end of a celebration for prisoners freed from Israeli detention.
A Palestinian family drives home with a family member that was just released from prison.
A Palestinian holds a gun at a rally celebrating the release of Palestinian prisoners in the West Bank city of Nablus.
Relatives of Husni Sawallha greet him as he arrives at his home in the West Bank village of Azmut after 23 years in an Israeli prison.