Palestinian prisoners arrive at Ramallah's Ofer Prison in West Bank before their release

By Zian Khalil

ISTANBUL (AA) – Palestinian prisoners expected to be released in the second batch of the hostage swap deal have arrived at Ofer Prison in the west of Ramallah in central West Bank, Israeli media reported on Saturday.

“The Palestinian prisoners will remain under the Israel Prison Service's custody until the Israeli captives are returned in the second round of the release,” daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported, without providing any further details.

Israel and Hamas swapped 24 Israelis and foreigners for 39 Palestinians from Israeli jails on Friday, on the first day of a four-day humanitarian pause.

Under the agreement, the hostages will be released in batches over the course of four days.

Israel launched a massive military campaign against the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas last month.

It has since killed at least 14,854 Palestinians, including 6,150 children and over 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.

*Writing by Ziad Aslan