Palestinian protest icon Ahed Tamimi returned home to a hero's welcome in her West Bank village on Sunday after Israel released the 17-year-old from prison at the end of her eight-month sentence for slapping and kicking Israeli soldiers.

Ahed Tamimi, who turned 17 in prison last month, appeared fresh and confident as she was led into a courtroom.

The incident made Ahed Tamimi a hero for Palestinians and was seen as humiliating by right-wing Israelis.