Palestinian prisoners arrived in Turkey, Syria and Qatar as part of a prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestine.
Under the deal, Israeli soldier Gilad shalit and hundreds of Palestinians crossed Israel's borders in opposite directions on Tuesday.
Palestinian prisoners arriving in Syria received a warm welcome.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PRISONER MO'TASSIM MAWDIDI, HELD IN PRISON FOR 17 YEARS, SAID TO BE INVOLVED IN "ZANGHOF" OPERATION, OCTOBER 18, 1994, SAYING:
"We dedicate the best greetings to the martyrs who were the reason in capturing the soldier (Israeli soldier Galid Shalit). We send our greetings to the negotiators who succeeded and earned a lot. This is a great accomplishment."
The supreme leader of Hamas said the prisoner swap deal was just the beginning, and all remaining Palestinians imprisoned in Israel should be freed.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMAS LEADER, KHALED EL-MESHAAL, SAYING:
"Yes, we are happy today, but our happiness is not complete, until they release you [the remaining prisoners]. This is a obligation for us. The release of all of our prisoners in Israeli prisons, whether they are from the West Bank, or from Gaza, or from Jerusalem or form 1948 Palestine, or among the exiles, or from Golan, this is an obligation for us."
After the 477 freed on Tuesday, a further 550 Palestinians will be released soon.
Sophia Soo, Reuters.
