PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years

Twenty-six Palestinian prisoners from Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank were released early Tuesday morning in the third stage of a prisoner release deal secured by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to facilitate peace talks. A total of 104 Palestinian prisoners, all jailed before the start of the Oslo peace talks 20 years ago, are slated to be released during the course of the talks, which are scheduled to continue through mid-2014.

By: Oren Ziv, Yotam Ronen, Tali Mayer, Ahmad Al-Bazz / Activestills.org

PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
The home of Ibrahim Taqtoq undergoes preparations for his arrival after more than 24 years in Israeli prison. He was released after midnight, Nablus, West Bank, December 30, 2013. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Friends and family members of the 26 Palestinian prisoners wait for their release in the early hours of December 31, 2013 in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Friends and family members of the 26 Palestinian prisoners wait for their release in the early hours of December 31, 2013 in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses released Palestinian prisoners at his headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah on December 31, 2013. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Friends and family members of the 26 Palestinian prisoners wait for their release in the early morning hours of December 31, 2013 in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Friends and family members of the 26 Palestinian prisoners wait for their release in the early hours of December 31, 2013 in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted as they arrive at the Muqata presidential compound in the early morning hours of December 31, 2013 in Ramallah, West Bank. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted as they arrive at the Muqata presidential compound in the early hours on December 31, 2013 in Ramallah, West Bank. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Family and friends of the Dahadgni family celebrate the release of Abu Naser Dahadgni in Shuafat refugee camp, East Jerusalem, December 31, 2013. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Family and friends of the Dahadgni family celebrate the release of Abu Naser Dahadgni in Shuafat refugee camp, East Jerusalem , December 31, 2013. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Freed Palestinian prisoners are greeted as they arrive at the Muqata presidential compound in the early hours of December 31, 2013 in Ramallah, West Bank. (Activestills.org)
PHOTOS: Palestinians are released from Israeli prisons after 20 years
Ibrahim Taqtoq is carried as he arrives to his city after he spent more than 24 years jailed in an Israeli prison, Nablus, West bank, December 30, 2013. (Activestills.org)

 

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