Israel released the 26 prisoners late Tuesday as part of the agreement with the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), which calls for releasing 104 long-serving prisoners who have been doing their time since before the 1993 Oslo peace deal between the two sides.

　　The U.S.-brokered deal was reached as Israel and Palestine agreed to resume their peace negotiations in July. The first group of the 104 inmates was released in August while the remaining two groups would reportedly be freed in January and March.

　　Issa Qaraqe, minister of prisoners' affairs, said the prisoners were on their way to the Palestinian presidency headquarters, where a quick official reception will be held.

　　Palestinian witnesses said Israeli police fired tear gas and water cannon at a crowd awaiting the prisoners outside Ofer prison near Ramallah.

　　In Gaza, the prisoners' families received their sons with national ballads as they danced holding high their posters and Palestinian flags.

　　On Sunday, an Israeli ministerial committee approved the release of 26 Palestinians, including some who have spent up to 28 years behind bars, many for killing Israelis.

　　Palestinian officials say the release of the 104 prisoners is not linked to the progress of the negotiations. In exchange for the release of the old inmates, the Palestinian National Authority ( PNA) has frozen bids to join international organizations.