Tearful friends and relatives, some cheering or waving flags, welcomed 429 Palestinian prisoners after their early release by Israel on Monday in a gesture meant to strengthen moderate Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“There’s nothing better than freedom,” said Salem al-Saqqa after he reached Gaza and kissed his mother. Al-Saqa had served four years of an 11-year term, and said Abbas must do everything he can to win the release of the thousands still imprisoned by Israel.

Most of the prisoners were dropped off at Abbas’ headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah. However, Abbas was not present for the celebrations, visiting Jordan instead as part of a tour of the Arab world following last week’s US-hosted West Asia conference in Annapolis.

As buses carrying the prisoners rolled into Abbas’ walled compound, relatives jumped up to kiss them. Some prisoners climbed out of windows, impatient to greet their families.

Tearful reunions played out again and again: Prisoners embraced weeping parents, sometimes abashed at their mothers’ ululating. Some were hoisted on shoulders.

Including the prisoners released Monday, about 770 Palestinians will have been freed since July, a number the Palestinians find too small.