Israel plans to release 1,904 Palestinian prisoners, including several serving life sentences for terrorism and murder, in exchange for the release of 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This exchange is part of the first 42-day phase of a ceasefire deal brokered with Hamas.
Among the prisoners to be released, 737 are members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Fatah movement, as well as women and minors currently detained in Israeli prisons. The remaining 1,167 were detained during Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza but were not involved in the Hamas-led incursion on October 7, 2023.
The ceasefire, announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, went into effect today at 11:15 AM local time (1:15 PM Yerevan time).
Delays in the process occurred when Hamas postponed handing over the list of three female hostages scheduled for release. During this period, the Israeli Defense Forces continued targeting locations in Gaza.
This agreement is seen as a significant step toward de-escalation in the region, though it faces both international and domestic challenges linked to political and security concerns.