New Delhi, Oct. 13 -- Joyous Palestinians flooded streets and hospitals across Gaza and the West Bank on Monday (October 13) to welcome home prisoners freed under a landmark US-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas - a deal that also saw the release of the final 20 Israeli hostages still alive from the October 7, 2023, attacks.

Under the accord, Israel began releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinians, including 250 convicted of serious crimes and 1,700 detainees held without charge in Gaza since the war began. The exchange is being hailed as a breakthrough after nearly two years of devastating conflict.

Thousands gathered at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, waving Palestinian flags and singing nationalist songs as buses carrying...