Israel releases Palestinian prisoners

Released Palestinians and supporters celebrate after crossing the Beitunia checkpoint on the way to the West Bank city of Ramallah. Israel released 224 prisoners in a gesture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

FOR THE RECORD:
An earlier version of this caption, using information later corrected by the Associated Press, read as follows: “Israel sent home 224 Palestinian prisoners Monday, including these men seen crossing into the Gaza Strip.” The photo was erroneously credited to Hatem Moussa.

(Kevin Frayer / Associated Press)

Sept. 16, 2014 10:42 AM PT

A Palestinian woman in the West Bank city of Ramallah celebrates the prisoners’ release. The move was meant to help boost the standing of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas among his people as well as to keep peace talks alive. (David Silverman / Getty Images)

Palestinians await the arrival of five busloads of released prisoners. (Atef Safadi / EPA)

A released Palestinian prisoner is hugged by relatives after arriving in Ramallah. More than 8,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, accused of violent and nonviolent resistance to Israeli occupation. (Tara Todras-Whitehill / Associated Press)

Freed Palestinian prisoner Farhan Barghoutti leans out of a bus window on his arrival in Ramallah to embrace his 18-month-old nephew, Ayham Barghoutti. (David Silverman / Getty Images)

A Palestinian girl points at an Israeli soldier’s assault rifle as relatives wait for the arrival of freed Palestinian prisoners at the Beitunia checkpoint in Ramallah. (David Silverman / Getty Images)