Mass Palestinian celebrations for freed prisoners

[October 18, 2011]  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) -- Tens of thousands of Palestinians, many waving green Hamas flags, are celebrating at a mass rally in Gaza for prisoners freed by Israel in a swap for a captured soldier.

In all, Israel freed 477 prisoners Tuesday in exchange for Sgt. Gilad Schalit, who had been held by Hamas-allied militants in Gaza for more than five years. Some 350 were sent to Gaza, the rest to the West Bank. A second group is to be released in two months.

In the West Bank, Hamas' political rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, addressed a crowd of thousands, including freed prisoners. Abbas praised them as "freedom fighters" and said Israel promised him to free more prisoners following the two-stage swap. It was the first mention of such a release.

[Associated Press]

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