They can thank Obama for their release as John Kerry pressured Israel to free them as part of a “peace” deal.

Via BBC:

Israeli authorities have freed a group of 26 Palestinian prisoners as part of a US-brokered agreement to resume direct peace talks.

The prisoners were greeted by cheering crowds on their return to the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel approved the releases on Saturday, but they were delayed to allow victims’ families to appeal.

The prisoners committed murder or attempted murder before the 1993 Oslo accords and have served 19 to 28 years.

They make up the third tranche of a total of 104 prisoners to be freed. […]

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas greeted the prisoners at his headquarters in Ramallah and pledged to continue pressing for the release of other long-serving and sick prisoners.

“We will not sign a final peace deal with Israel before all the prisoners are released,” he said.

President Abbas has previously hailed the prisoners as heroes of the Palestinian cause.