JERUSALEM (Reuters) – The ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas is set to come into effect at 8:30 a.m. (0630 GMT) on Sunday, following the final approval of the deal by the Israeli government. As part of the agreement, thirty-three out of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50, and those who are ill or wounded, will be released during the first phase of the ceasefire, which is expected to last for six weeks. Israel is hopeful that the hostages are still alive, although no confirmation has been received from Hamas.
In exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinians from its jails. The released Palestinians consist of 737 male, female, and teenaged prisoners, some of whom are members of militant groups convicted of carrying out attacks that resulted in the deaths of numerous Israelis. Additionally, there are 1,167 Palestinians who have been detained in Gaza since the onset of the conflict and are held in Israeli prisons. The details of the Palestinian prisoners were disclosed by Israel’s Justice Ministry on Saturday, along with the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates that 30 Palestinian prisoners will be freed for each female hostage on Sunday.
During the initial phase of the ceasefire, the Israeli military will withdraw from certain positions in Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians from northern Gaza to return to their homes. A second phase is anticipated, involving the release of the remaining hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, contingent upon the outcomes of negotiations that are set to commence 16 days after the ceasefire commences.
HANDOVER OF HOSTAGES AND PRISONERS
On Sunday after 4 p.m. (1400 GMT), Israel will release 95 Palestinian prisoners to Hamas and receive three hostages in return. The initial group of prisoners to be released does not include any high-profile detainees; many of them were recently detained and have not yet been tried or convicted. The identities of the three hostages to be handed over are currently undisclosed, with the military planning to disclose the names once the hostages are received.
Upon transfer, the hostages will be handed over by Hamas to Red Cross officials, who will then deliver them to the Israeli military in Gaza. The military has designated three locations near the northern, central, and southern borders of Gaza in Erez, Re’im, and Kerem Shalom to receive the hostages, based on the route they take upon release. At these locations, the hostages will be greeted by medical personnel, social workers, and psychologists to assist with their initial reintegration before reuniting them with their families.
Following this, the hostages will be transported by vehicle or helicopter to specialized facilities established to aid in their readjustment after enduring 15 months of captivity. Throughout this process, they will be shielded from media exposure and provided with medical and psychological support.
(Reporting by James Mackenzie, Maayan Lubell, Nidal al-Mug
