Israel’s Ministry of Justice has announced the release of 737 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal approved on Saturday.
The move follows the framework of the truce agreement between Israel and Hamas, with the government confirming the release of detainees, including individuals held for decades. Among the released is Zakaria Zubeidi, a commander of Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a key figure in a 2021 prison break.
Read more: Hamas and Israel Sign Ceasefire Deal, Sparking Hopes for Peace in Gaza
Currently, over 10,000 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, excluding those detained in Gaza in the past 15 months. The list published by Israel’s Ministry of Justice includes 95 Palestinians to be released starting Sunday, with the full list of releases planned for the upcoming weeks under the agreement brokered by Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt.
While the release of prisoners marks a significant step in the ceasefire deal, Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza, with casualties mounting. Despite the deal’s announcement, Israeli forces have targeted several locations in Gaza, killing over 100 people since the ceasefire agreement.
As displaced Gazans prepare to return home, there are mixed reactions in Israel, with some celebrating while others express concern over the remaining hostages. The ceasefire deal is still pending final approval by Israel’s cabinet.
The deal, which aims to halt the ongoing conflict, was pushed forward after months of difficult negotiations and is supported by both the Trump and Biden administrations. However, opposition remains within Israel, as two far-right ministers have threatened to quit over the agreement. Despite this, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains confident that the ceasefire will proceed as planned.
