Palestinians prepare for Muslim festival Eid-al-Adha

Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza City are preparing for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which celebrates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son. In Gaza City, the militant group Hamas released dozens of prisoners as a good-will gesture.

Muslims throughout the Palestinian territories took to the streets and market places on Thursday.

They are making final preparations for the four-day holiday, which begins on Friday.

Customers buy sweets from vendors ahead of the Muslim Eid al-Adha  festival in downtown Amman November 26, 2009. Muslims around the  world celebrate Eid al-Adha by slaughtering sheep, goats, camels  and cows to commemorate Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, on God's command.REUTERS/Muhammad Hamed

At the Gaza zoo, workers have transformed two white donkeys into 'zebras'. Hundreds of families with children are expected to visit during the holiday.

In the West Bank cities of Ramallah and Hebron, residents crowded into the streets for some last-minute shopping.

In Gaza City, Hamas released prisoners from Ansar Prison on Thursday afternoon. They were met by relatives outside the prison gates.

The prisoners' release comes at a time when indirect negotiations are taking place between Israel and the Palestinians over the separate issue of a prisoner swap deal.

Under the deal, a captured Israeli soldier could be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Eid al-Adha, or feast of the sacrifice, is celebrated in remembrance of Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son at God's command. It is one of the most important holidays in the Muslim calendar.