550 Palestinian prisoners released

Israel has released hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in the second and final phase of a swap with Hamas militants that brought home an Israeli soldier after five years in captivity.

Under the Egypt-brokered deal, Israel agreed to exchange 1,027 prisoners for Sergeant Gilad Schalit, who was captured by Gaza militants in June 2006. Sgt Schalit returned home in October when Israel freed the first batch of 477 prisoners. Last night’s release of 550 more completed the swap, the most lopsided in Israel’s history.