The first group of Palestinian prisoners has been transferred from Israeli detention centers bound for freedom as part of a deal to release 1,027 Palestinian inmates in exchange for Hamas-captured the Zionist soldier Gilad Shalit.

In the course of the Tuesday exchange, Egypt, which has assumed a mediator role in the prisoners deal, will receive Shalit in the Gaza Strip as Israel regime releases 477 Palestinian prisoners at various locations, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

One hundred of the Palestinian prisoners will be delivered to the West Bank, thirty of them will be deported to Jordan, Turkey, Qatar and Syria and the remainder will go to Gaza, once Shalit arrives in Egypt, AP reported.

The second stage of the swap, which will includes 550 Palestinian detainees, is expected to occur in two months.

Officials from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority will attend celebrations planned to be held in both Gaza and the West Bank.