Hamas turned over the bodies of four hostages to Israel last night in return for the release of more 640 Palestinians from Israeli prisons, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS), reported Middle East Eye. Among them was Nael al-Barghouti, reported to be the longest-serving political prisoner in the world. Al-Barghouti has spent most of the last 45 years, including 34 consecutive years, in Israeli prisons.
Al Jazeera reported that the now-freed prisoners showed signs of emaciation and abuse. Several Palestinians were transported in ambulances to the European Hospital in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, due to the severity of their injuries. Many Palestinians were also sent to Egypt and the occupied West Bank.