Palestinians in the West Bank are awaiting the release of a prisoner following a ceasefire.

Families of 90 Palestinian prisoners are eagerly awaiting their release from Israeli jails in the occupied West Bank as part of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

Hundreds of people broke into the town square in Beituniya, a mile (1.6 km) from Israel’s Ofer prison, waving Palestinian flags and chanting.

In an atmosphere full of excitement and anxiety, Dyash Dara was waiting for her sister Hadeel.

The 32-year-old university administrator was jailed for seven months without charge.

I think I’m a bit confused because of what happened in Gaza, I’m happy,” Dias told the BBC.

“The most important thing is to stop the war in Gaza. Even if it is not resolved today, we will be safe. But at least the war is over.”

Most of the 90 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on Sunday are women and many are children.

In the next six weeks, there will be more stressful days.

Some 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are to be released in the first phase of an exchange for 33 Israeli hostages in Gaza, including three women freed by Hamas in Gaza on Sunday afternoon.

One of the most prominent detainees is Zakaria Zubaidi, the former leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in the North West Bank city of Jenin.

The 49-year-old has served time in both Israeli and Palestinian prisons for various crimes, including murder.

In the year In 2002, he claimed to have carried out a shooting attack in which six Israelis were killed.

Zubaydi was in the news in 2021 when he was released from an Israeli prison before being recaptured five days later.