Israel’s justice ministry has confirmed the release of 737 Palestinians as part of the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. This decision follows an approval on Saturday, marking a significant step toward the implementation of the truce deal between Israel and Hamas. The government’s approval will allow for the release of the prisoners, with a focus on providing relief to the detainees as fighting continues to impact Gaza.
Currently, there are around 10,400 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, according to the Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ Affairs. The list of prisoners to be released includes several notable figures, such as Zakaria Zubeidi, a commander of Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, known for his involvement in a 2021 prison break. Zubeidi, along with others, will be sent back to their hometowns in the West Bank.
The ceasefire and exchange agreement was approved by Israel’s security cabinet on Friday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announcing that it should take effect this weekend. The deal, which has been brokered with the help of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aims to halt the violence in Gaza, marking the first step toward a possible longer-term peace arrangement. The agreement also includes provisions for the future release of additional Palestinian prisoners.
As the ceasefire agreement moves forward, there have been mixed reactions within Israel, with some far-right ministers opposing the deal. On the Palestinian side, many are eagerly preparing to return to their homes, even as displaced individuals remain concerned about the aftermath of the ongoing conflict. Despite the relief brought by the agreement, tensions remain high, with both sides still grappling with the consequences of the conflict.
