Israel To Free Over 1,890 Palestinians In First Phase Of Gaza Truce

In the first phase of a Gaza truce, mediator Egypt announced on Saturday that Israel will release more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages.

The first 42-day phase of the ceasefire, which is scheduled to begin at 6 h 30 GMT on Sunday, was set to begin with the release of the prisoners, according to the foreign ministry.

33 hostages would be freed by militants in Gaza during the initial phase of the agreement, according to Qatar, which mediated it with Egypt and the United States.

Israel’s justice ministry had earlier said 737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees would be freed — none before 4: 00 pm (1400 GMT) on Sunday.

Of the 251 people taken hostage during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the war, 94 are still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead.

INCLUDE: Israeli Government Approves Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

Sunday’s ceasefire will be only the second truce in 15 months of war in the Gaza Strip, which has claimed more than 50, 000 lives and devastated the Palestinian territory.

The agreement will become effective on Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term in office.

Egypt’s foreign ministry acknowledged Qatar as a mediator and acknowledged the crucial role that President (Joe) Biden and the new US administration played in putting an end to the crisis.

Source: Channels TV