Hamas, which governs Gaza, signed a prisoner swap deal with Israel last week, under which more than a thousand Palestinians were to be freed in lieu of a lone Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
Families of the hundreds of Palestinian inmates being released are eagerly waiting to be united, but they have been forced to travel from West Bank to Gaza, as a substantial number of the prisoners will be deported here as part of the deal.
Hamas government, which is planning massive celebrations in Gaza for what they call 'Palestinian heroes', says the government will provide jobs, a salary for life, an apartment and a car to the deported prisoners.
Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston reports from Gaza.
