GAZA, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released by Israel on Monday arrived in the Gaza Strip under a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal reached between Israel and Hamas, with mediation by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

The buses operated by the International Committee of the Red Cross transported the released Palestinians into the enclave through the Kerem Shalom crossing in southeastern Gaza, as witnessed by Xinhua.

The Palestinians were taken directly to Nasser Medical Complex in the southern city of Khan Younis for medical examinations, as thousands of family members and residents gathered outside the facility in anticipation and celebration.

The Hamas-run Prisoners' Information Office said the ongoing exchange includes the release of about 250 prisoners serving life or long-term sentences, as well as more than 1,700 detainees from Gaza detained after Oct. 7, 2023.

Palestinian sources told Xinhua that the released Palestinians were from various areas of Gaza -- some of them had spent more than ten years in Israeli jails.

Emotional scenes unfolded outside Nasser Medical Complex as buses carrying the freed Palestinians arrived. Women ululated and waved Palestinian flags while relatives held up photos of their loved ones.

"I couldn't believe my son would return after eight years of imprisonment," said Um Mohammed Shahin, mother of one of those freed, her eyes filled with tears of joy. "We have waited for this moment for so long, despite the war and destruction Gaza has endured."

In a statement, the office described the implementation of the deal as "an important milestone in the course of the Palestinian prisoners' cause," emphasizing the need to continue efforts to achieve the full release of all Palestinian detainees. ■