Israel has begun the release of nearly 2000 Palestinians held in its prisons after all living Israeli captives were released by Hamas on Monday as part of a ceasefire agreement.

Huge crowds cheered as the released Palestinians got off the buses that transported them from Ofer prison to Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

Family members and friends were seen hugging the men upon their arrival, with many chanting "Allahu akbar," meaning God is greatest, in celebration, reported AFP.

Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that the Israeli forces were firing smoke bombs at journalists around Ofer Prison, from which Palestinian prisoners were freed. Earlier, the Associated Press reported that an armoured vehicle flying an Israeli flag fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the families of the P

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