Min Aung Hlaing has approved the release of more than 4,000 prisoners as part of a traditional New Year amnesty in Myanmar, marking one of the largest recent pardon orders by the military-backed government. The move includes sentence reductions and the release of several foreign detainees, though uncertainty remains over how many political prisoners are included.

Myanmar: Junta Chief-Turned-Prez Min Aung Hlaing Approves Prisoner Release

Israel on Saturday (Jan 25) released 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange of release of four Israeli hostages by Hamas, as per the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, AFP reported citing Israel's prison service.&nbsp;
"After the conclusion of the necessary activities in the prisons and the approval of political authorities, all the terrorists were released from the Ofer and Ktziot prisons," the statement read, adding that a total of 200 prisoners had been freed.
Crowds of Palestinians were seen in joy as freed prisoners reach Ramalla, according to the AFP report.&nbsp;
Initially, Israel released 70 Palestinian prisoners into Egypt out of the 200 who were supposed to be released, according to the Egypt&rsquo;s state-run Qahera TV reported.&nbsp;
This comes after Hamas released four Israeli hostages, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag.
The 200 Palestinians prisoners include long-serving inmates and others with lengthy sentences.&nbsp;
Israel will be deporting 70 of these prisoners outside of Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Among those 200 prisoners, Israel is also releasing a Palestinian inmate who has spent the longest continuous period in Israeli detention, Mohammed al-Tous.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-allow-palestinians-to-return-north-gaza-until-hamas-releases-female-civilian-hostage-warns-netanyahu-8653134" rel="dofollow">'Won't allow Palestinians to return north Gaza until Hamas releases female civilian hostage,' warns Netanyahu</a>
Tous, 69, was jailed for nearly four decades, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club advocacy group.
He is a member of Fatah, the movement founded by late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Tous was on the list of detainees to be released in exchange for four Israeli hostages released on Saturday by Hamas, the NGO told AFP.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-four-female-israeli-soldiers-released-in-second-hostage-exchange-between-israel-and-hamas-8652476" rel="dofollow">Gaza ceasefire: Four female Israeli soldiers released in second hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas</a>
After the exchange is done, Israeli forces are set to withdraw from Gaza's Netzarim Corridor, paving the way for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the north of the enclave.&nbsp;
Israel said that Palestinians who have been convicted of killing Israelis should be permanently deported if they are freed under the hostage-ceasefire agreement.&nbsp;
Moreover, they would not be allowed to return to homes in the West Bank or Gaza.&nbsp;
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-fake-hamas-attack-staged-in-israel-kfar-saba-hamas-8647184" rel="dofollow"> 'I was so scared&hellip;': Fake Hamas attack staged in Israel to protest Gaza ceasefire stirs panic</a>
<h2>Hamas released four Israeli hostages</h2>
Earlier in the day, Hamas released four Israeli hostages, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag.
The soldiers were members of an all-female surveillance unit stationed near Nahal Oz on the Gaza border and were responsible for monitoring activity in the area when they were taken hostage during the Hamas terror attack of 7 October 2023.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-military-chief-herzi-halevi-resigns-over-failure-to-prevent-oct-7-hamas-attack-8642668" rel="dofollow">Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi resigns over failure to prevent Oct 7 Hamas attack</a>
All four hostages have met with their parents at an IDF facility near Re'im, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement.&nbsp;
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Among those 200 prisoners, Israel is also releasing a Palestinian inmate who has spent the longest continuous period in Israeli detention, Mohammed al-Tous. 

Israel on Saturday (Jan 25) released 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange of release of four Israeli hostages by Hamas, as per the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, AFP reported citing Israel's prison service. "After the conclusion of the necessary activities in the prisons and the approval of political authorities, all the terrorists were released from the Ofer and Ktziot prisons," the statement read, adding that a total of 200 prisoners had been freed. Crowds of Palestinians were seen in joy as freed prisoners reach Ramalla, according to the AFP report. Initially, Israel released 70 Palestinian prisoners into Egypt out of the 200 who were supposed to be released, according to the Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV reported. This comes after Hamas released four Israeli hostages, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag. The 200 Palestinians prisoners include long-serving inmates and others with lengthy sentences. Israel will be deporting 70 of these prisoners outside of Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Among those 200 prisoners, Israel is also releasing a Palestinian inmate who has spent the longest continuous period in Israeli detention, Mohammed al-Tous. Also read: 'Won't allow Palestinians to return north Gaza until Hamas releases female civilian hostage,' warns Netanyahu Tous, 69, was jailed for nearly four decades, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Club advocacy group. He is a member of Fatah, the movement founded by late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Tous was on the list of detainees to be released in exchange for four Israeli hostages released on Saturday by Hamas, the NGO told AFP. Also read: Gaza ceasefire: Four female Israeli soldiers released in second hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas After the exchange is done, Israeli forces are set to withdraw from Gaza's Netzarim Corridor, paving the way for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the north of the enclave. Israel said that Palestinians who have been convicted of killing Israelis should be permanently deported if they are freed under the hostage-ceasefire agreement. Moreover, they would not be allowed to return to homes in the West Bank or Gaza. Also read: 'I was so scared…': Fake Hamas attack staged in Israel to protest Gaza ceasefire stirs panic Hamas released four Israeli hostages Earlier in the day, Hamas released four Israeli hostages, identified as Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag. The soldiers were members of an all-female surveillance unit stationed near Nahal Oz on the Gaza border and were responsible for monitoring activity in the area when they were taken hostage during the Hamas terror attack of 7 October 2023. Also read: Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi resigns over failure to prevent Oct 7 Hamas attack All four hostages have met with their parents at an IDF facility near Re'im, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a televised statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel releases 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange of four female soldiers released by Hamas

The oldest prisoner at Guantanamo Bay prison, Saifullah Paracha has been released and sent back to Pakistan after nearly 20 years.&nbsp;

Pakistan's foreign ministry reportedly confirmed the news of the release. In a statement, the ministry said, "We are glad that a Pakistani citizen detained abroad is finally reunited with his family." Paracha returned to Pakistan on October 29.&nbsp;

Two years after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US, Paracha, now 75, was detained on suspicion of financing&nbsp;the terrorist group al-Qaeda. Although he was only suspected, Paracha always insisted on being innocent and was never charged.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-recounting-traumatic-memories-of-911-facts-you-didnt-know-about-the-september-attack-515074">Also read |&nbsp;US: Recounting traumatic memories of 9/11, facts you didn't know about the September attack&nbsp;</a>

Paracha's lawyer, Clive Stafford-Smith, questioned why his release took so long despite being cleared for a release for over a year now.&nbsp;

In a conversation with BBC, Smith said, "He's been cleared for release [for] well over a year... he used to hum to me The Eagles song Hotel California, where you can [according to the lyrics] check out 'but you can never leave'."

Further adding, he said that Guantanamo is an embarrassment to the US. He said he still has four clients who are certified for release.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;9/11 Terror Attack: Accused may not get death penalty

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/911-terror-attack-accused-may-not-get-death-penalty-515647/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Paracha was completing his studies in the US when the attack took place. He was detained in Thailand in July 2003, after an American FBI sting operation. The authorities&nbsp;accused him of connecting with some of the senior members of the group including the chief leader Osama bin Laden and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.&nbsp;

After spending 14 months in US military prison in Afghanistan, he was sent to Guantanamo.&nbsp;

The United States had detained hundreds of individuals it characterised as illegal combatants.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/third-tower-was-also-brought-down-on-911-the-conspiracy-theories-and-importance-of-tower-seven-412317">Also read |&nbsp;'Third tower also collapsed on 9/11': The conspiracy theories and importance of Tower Seven</a>

The current US President Joe Biden is under great pressure to release uncharged prisoners and to continue legal proceedings against those alleged to have close ties with the terrorist group al-Qaeda.&nbsp;

The Biden administration last year allowed the release of Paracha and two others.

The chief operator for the 9/11 attack Khalid Mohammed is still imprisoned.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The oldest prisoner at Guantanamo Bay prison, Saifullah Paracha has been released and sent back to Pakistan after nearly 20 years. Pakistan's foreign ministry reportedly confirmed the news of the release.

The oldest prisoner at Guantanamo Bay prison, Saifullah Paracha has been released and sent back to Pakistan after nearly 20 years. Pakistan's foreign ministry reportedly confirmed the news of the release. In a statement, the ministry said, "We are glad that a Pakistani citizen detained abroad is finally reunited with his family." Paracha returned to Pakistan on October 29. Two years after the 11 September 2001 attacks on the US, Paracha, now 75, was detained on suspicion of financing the terrorist group al-Qaeda. Although he was only suspected, Paracha always insisted on being innocent and was never charged. Also read | US: Recounting traumatic memories of 9/11, facts you didn't know about the September attack Paracha's lawyer, Clive Stafford-Smith, questioned why his release took so long despite being cleared for a release for over a year now. In a conversation with BBC, Smith said, "He's been cleared for release [for] well over a year... he used to hum to me The Eagles song Hotel California, where you can [according to the lyrics] check out 'but you can never leave'." Further adding, he said that Guantanamo is an embarrassment to the US. He said he still has four clients who are certified for release. Watch | 9/11 Terror Attack: Accused may not get death penalty Paracha was completing his studies in the US when the attack took place. He was detained in Thailand in July 2003, after an American FBI sting operation. The authorities accused him of connecting with some of the senior members of the group including the chief leader Osama bin Laden and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. After spending 14 months in US military prison in Afghanistan, he was sent to Guantanamo. The United States had detained hundreds of individuals it characterised as illegal combatants. Also read | 'Third tower also collapsed on 9/11': The conspiracy theories and importance of Tower Seven The current US President Joe Biden is under great pressure to release uncharged prisoners and to continue legal proceedings against those alleged to have close ties with the terrorist group al-Qaeda. The Biden administration last year allowed the release of Paracha and two others. The chief operator for the 9/11 attack Khalid Mohammed is still imprisoned. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Guantanamo's oldest serving prisoner, a 9/11 attack suspect, released after two decades

The United States has called on the Taliban to release an American civil engineer abducted in Afghanistan two years ago. Mark Frerichs, a 59-year-old US Navy veteran, was kidnapped in early 2020 and passed on to the dreaded Haqqani Network a month before Washington signed the true pull-out deal in Doha.

United States president Joe Biden demands release of Mark Frerichs