Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank rejoiced on Monday after prisoners were released as part of an exchange with Israel.

Reports by human rights groups detailing conditions in Israeli detention have made Palestinian prisoners enduring symbols of their people’s struggle.

Israel freed more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees after Hamas released all 20 remaining living hostages held in Gaza under a ceasefire deal.

In the West Bank, relatives and friends waving flags and gathered outside the Ramallah Palace of Culture to greet them.

As the crowd shouted “God is great!” the former prisoners flashed victory signs toward bystanders, who wept and strained to shake their hands.

Several of the men who stepped off the bus said they couldn’t even explain their joy after decades behind bars.

Among them was Kamal Abu Shanab, a 51-year-old Fatah member from Tulkarem.

His face gaunt and his head shaved, Abu Shanab’s own family said they barely recognized him.

He said he lost 139 pounds (59 kilograms) over his 18½ years in prison.

In Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, the released prisoners were met by crowds and embraced by family and friends in emotional scenes outside Gaza's Nasser hospital.

The releases came as President Donald Trump addressed the Israeli Knesset and urged Israel to work toward peace following the U.S.-brokered ceasefire and hostage deal, an agreement that he declared had effectively ended the Israel-Hamas war and opened the door to building a durable peace in the Middle East.