Dozens of released Palestinian prisoners are aged between 16 and 20, new data shows

Dozens of the Palestinian prisoners released on Monday are aged between 16 and 20, with at least two in their 70s, new data shows.

Buses carrying the freed prisoners arrived in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. They are the first of 1,968 prisoners released by Israel after a ceasefire deal was struck with Hamas.

New data assessed by Sky News, from Palestinian Authorities, has revealed the age range of those released. Of the 1,718 arrested after the war began, it shows two are in their 70s, 20 in their 60s, 67 in their 50s and 226 in their 40s.

Three hundred and 83 are in their 30s, 383 in their 20s and 40 are aged between 16 and 20. At least five of those released have birthdays on Monday.

There are also 250 Palestinians who were serving life sentences, long sentences or expected to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Of these, 157 belonged to Fatah, 65 to Hamas, 16 to Islamic Jihad, 11 to Popular Front and one to Democratic Front.

Three were arrested in the 1980s, with the most recent arrest on 11 March. At least 154 of the Palestinians will be deported to Egypt from the West Bank as part of the deal.

Many are members of Hamas and the Fatah faction, who were imprisoned over shootings, bombings or other attacks that killed or attempted to kill Israelis, along with others convicted on lesser charges. They will return to the West Bank, Gaza or be deported elsewhere.

It follows the agreement of a new peace plan struck between Israel and Hamas following more than two years of war. As part of the deal, 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas were released.

Coffins of dead hostages were also handed over. US President Donald Trump, who signed the agreement on Monday, told Israel's parliament: "The skies are calm, the guns are silent, the sirens are still and the sun rises on a Holy Land that is finally at peace.".