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Join on Telegram Rabat– Israel’s Justice Ministry has announced the release of 737 prisoners and detainees as part of the initial phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement approved on Saturday. The ministry confirmed in a statement that the government had approved the release, with the process set to begin no earlier than Sunday at 14:00 GMT.
The list of prisoners includes men, women, and children currently in the custody of Israel’s prison service. Among those set for release are prominent figures such as Zakaria Zubeidi, a leader of the armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party, and Khalida Jarar, a leftist Palestinian lawmaker who has faced repeated arrests by Israeli authorities.
Israel’s cabinet voted early Saturday to approve the truce deal, ending days of uncertainty regarding its implementation. The agreement also includes a previous list of 95 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women, slated for release in exchange for Israeli captives held in Gaza.
Hamas has announced its approval of the ceasefire agreement and has committed to adhering to its terms. Israel’s security cabinet, after reviewing the political, security, and humanitarian aspects of the proposal, determined that the agreement aligns with “the achievement of war objectives.”
The deal’s first phase, set to last six weeks, includes the release of 33 hostages held in Gaza since October 7, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. Negotiations for a permanent end to hostilities are planned during this phase.
Initial hostage releases are expected to begin on Sunday, according to the Israeli government. An Israeli military official confirmed the establishment of three reception points along the Gaza border where hostages will receive medical care before being transported to hospitals.
Hamas sources indicated that the first group of hostages would include three Israeli women. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities identified 95 detainees eligible for release starting Sunday, mostly women and minors arrested after October 7.
The agreement, the result of extensive negotiations, was finalized ahead of former U.S. President Donald Trump‘s anticipated return to the White House on Monday.
The first phase of the agreement, as outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden, includes a full ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from densely populated areas, and increased humanitarian aid.
Subsequent phases involve the release of remaining hostages, followed by Gaza’s reconstruction and the return of the remains of deceased hostages.
