Tensions were high as people waited in Beitunia, in the West Bank, for the arrival of the 90 Palestinian prisoners who were released from Israeli custody just after 1 a.m. local time.
Israeli forces used cars and tear gas to attempt to clear the roads, ABC News reporters on the scene said.
ABC News’ team saw flash bangs where people were gathered waiting for the prisoners’ release.
Israeli Police did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment on the matter.
Freed Palestinian prisoners ride in a bus after their release from an Israeli jail as part of a hostages-prisoners swap between Hamas and Israel, outside the Israeli military prison, Ofer, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Jan. 20, 2025.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
The prisoners were released from Ofer Prison in Ramallah, West Bank, as a part of the hostage exchange and ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
People were seen on top of the buses waving flags and chanting as the prisoners arrived in Beitunia at approximately 1:42 a.m.
-ABC News’ Ellie Kaufman, as well as Tom Soufi Burridge and Hugo Leenhardt in the West Bank
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25838949/005NAuPugy1hxqapsuog0j3332222npe__1_.jpg?w=75&resize=75,75&ssl=1 "Oppo’s next foldable is about as thin as USB-C allows")
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25838949/005NAuPugy1hxqapsuog0j3332222npe__1_.jpg?w=120&resize=120,86&ssl=1 "Oppo’s next foldable is about as thin as USB-C allows")
