Gaza City: Several dozen Palestinians have been marching in Gaza to celebrate a prisoner swap between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

Some in the group handed out sweets on Wednesday and others praised Hezbollah. They rejoiced at the prospect that Samir Kantar, a fighter convicted of a notorious attack in Israel in 1979, would be released.

Some hoisted posters of Kantar. One celebrant was a former cellmate of Kantar's. Jaber Weshah said, “Today is a true day of joy for all Palestinians and all freedom lovers across the world.''

In exchange, Israel received two coffins believed to contain the bodies of Israeli soldiers.

Gaza's Hamas rulers praised Hezbollah. Hamas holds an Israeli soldier and is trying to arrange a swap with Israel.