Egypt announced on Saturday that Israel would release over 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The Egyptian foreign ministry stated that the prisoner releases would occur during the initial 42-day phase of the ceasefire, which is scheduled to begin at 06:30 GMT on Sunday.
Mediators and Agreement Details
Qatar, working alongside Egypt and the United States to mediate the deal, confirmed that 33 hostages held by militants in Gaza would be released during this phase. Meanwhile, Israel’s justice ministry clarified that 737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees would be freed, with no releases occurring before 16:00 (14:00 GMT) on Sunday.
Of the 251 individuals taken hostage during Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which ignited the ongoing war, 94 remain in Gaza. The Israeli military reports that 34 of them are deceased.
A Rare Ceasefire Amidst Prolonged Conflict
Sunday’s ceasefire will mark only the second truce in 15 months of war in the Gaza Strip. The conflict has claimed over 50,000 lives and left the Palestinian territory in devastation. The truce is set to commence on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration for a second term as U.S. president.
Recognition for Mediators and Leadership
In its statement, Egypt’s foreign ministry expressed gratitude to Qatar for its mediation efforts and acknowledged the pivotal role of the incoming U.S. administration under President Trump in resolving the crisis. The ministry also extended appreciation to outgoing President Joe Biden for his contributions.
