Palestinians are celebrating as Israel has released nearly 2,000 Palestinians from prison in exchange for Hamas’ freeing of Israeli hostages

Monday was a historic day in the Middle East: Hamas released its 20 living Israeli hostages only days after Israel stopped its offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas released seven hostages on Monday, the first to be released as part of a ceasefire that paused two years of war between Israel and Hamas in the devastated Gaza Strip.