Israel to Free 737 Prisoners as Part of Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Deal

Israel’s justice ministry announced that the Israeli government approved the release of 737 prisoners and detainees in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal on Saturday. The prisoners to be freed are already in the custody of Israel’s prison service, which is a big step forward in the negotiations.

The Justice Ministry of Israel stated that the prisoners include men, women, and children, but authorities will not release them before Sunday at 4:00 pm local time (1400 GMT). The Israeli cabinet voted early Saturday to approve the ceasefire agreement, ending the uncertainty surrounding it leading up to the weekend.

Notable Individuals on the Release List

The list of inmates to be released includes several names, such as Zakaria Zubeidi, the top leader of the armed wing of the Palestinian Fatah party. Zubeidi became highly famous in 2021 after breaking out from Gilboa prison in Israel, forcing a huge hunt for him by the authorities. Palestinians regard him as a heroic figure, and his freedom is an integral part of this agreement.

Another high-profile arrestee is Khalida Jarrar, a member of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Israel, the United States, and the European Union have declared PFLP a “terrorist organization.” Israel arrested Jarar multiple times and arrested her again in late December 2023. She was detained without charge, making her freedom an important political statement.

Hostage Release Deal and Further Steps on Ceasefire

Two sources close to Hamas confirm that the initial stage of the hostage release deal includes 33 hostages, with three of them being Israeli women soldiers. It is important to note that Hamas considers any Israeli of military age who has completed their mandatory service as a soldier. This can mean civilians kidnapped in the first assault that led to the war.

Israel’s justice ministry has confirmed that the number of prisoners released in the first phase of the swap will depend on the number of live hostages released by Hamas. Consequently, this deal underscores the ongoing tensions and complex negotiations between Israel and Palestinian factions in the region.

The freeing of 737 Palestinian prisoners is an important development in the long-standing conflict. The move gives hope to the families of the victims, but it remains uncertain whether it will influence the overall situation. The freeing of high-profile individuals like Zubeidi and Jarar will have both political and emotional consequences, influencing the future of talks and negotiations in the region.