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

"There's nothing better than freedom," said Salem al-Sakka after he reached Gaza and kissed his mother. Al-Sakka 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. Uncharacteristically, Abbas wasn't present for the celebrations, visiting Jordan instead as part of a tour of the Arab world following last week's U.S.-hosted Mideast conference in Annapolis, Md.

At the conference, Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert pledged to try to reach a peace deal in 2008.