JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is set to commence at 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) on Sunday, following the Israeli government’s final approval of the deal. The agreement entails the release of 33 out of the remaining 98 Israeli hostages, comprising women, children, men over 50, and ill or wounded captives during the initial phase of the ceasefire, expected to span six weeks. Although Israel believes that most hostages are still alive, confirmation from Hamas is yet to be received.
In reciprocation, Israel will release close to 2,000 Palestinians from its prisons. The released individuals consist of 737 male, female, and teenage prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of perpetrating attacks that resulted in the deaths of numerous Israelis. Additionally, the group includes 1,167 Palestinians who were detained in Gaza since the onset of the conflict and have been held in Israel. The Israeli Justice Ministry disclosed their information early Saturday alongside the ceasefire agreement, stipulating the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners for each female hostage on Sunday.
As part of the initial ceasefire phase, the Israeli military will withdraw from certain positions in Gaza, and displaced Palestinians from regions in northern Gaza will be permitted to return. A subsequent phase, entailing the release of the remaining hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, is expected to ensue based on negotiation outcomes, which are scheduled to begin 16 days after the ceasefire’s commencement.
HOSTAGE AND PRISONER EXCHANGE
On Sunday post 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), Israel is scheduled to exchange 95 Palestinian prisoners for three hostages. Notably, the prisoners designated for release on the ceasefire’s inaugural day do not encompass any prominent detainees; many were recently apprehended and have neither been tried nor convicted. The identities of the three hostages slated for release remain undisclosed, with the military affirming that the names will be divulged subsequent to their reception.
Upon handover, the hostages will be transferred by Hamas to Red Cross officials, who will subsequently escort them to the Israeli military in Gaza. The military has established three facilities in close proximity to the northern, central, and southern boundaries of Gaza – located in Erez, Re’im, and Kerem Shalom – to accommodate the hostages based on their exit routes. Upon arrival, the hostages will be greeted by medical personnel, welfare experts, and psychologists to facilitate their initial adjustment before reuniting with their families.
Subsequently, the hostages will be transported via vehicle or helicopter to specialized facilities tailored to assist them in readapting after enduring 15 months of captivity. Shielded from the press, the hostages will receive comprehensive medical and psychological support to aid their reintegration process.
(Reporting by James Mackenzie, Maayan Lubell, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Ali Sawafta; editing by Deepa Babington)
