Israel Approves Hostage Release Deal With Hamas, Names Palestinians To Be Freed

Roughly seven weeks into the brutal violence, Israel and Hamas have agreed on a deal to release at least 50 women and children held in Gaza for the return of 150 Palestinians kept in detention in Israeli prisons, during a four-day pause in fighting.

Hamas said the deal also involves the entry of trucks carrying aid, medical supplies and fuel. More Palestinian prisoners could potentially be released from the list of 300 detainees, in exchange for at least 10 Israelis being handed over to Israeli security forces each day.

Israel Ramping Up Arrests Ahead Of Hostage Deal: Claim

On Wednesday, the Israeli government published a list of Palestinians for possible release. The list includes the ages of the prisoners, and the charges on which they are being held. Currently, more than 8,000 Palestinians are believed to be held in Israeli prisons.

On the list, throwing stones and “harming regional security” are among the most common charges, while others include supporting illegal terror organisations, illegal weapons charges and attempted murder. Some of the prisoners are listed as being members of militant groups.

Israel is known to have stepped up its arrests since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli towns last month, killing at least 1,200 people. Most of the Palestinians listed as eligible for release on the list are male teenagers aged 16 to 18. Some 33 are women.

Last week, Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh claimed to Reuters: “Israel is preparing for an exchange of prisoners, and they are arresting as many people as they can simply because they are preparing for such a deal.”

Hostage Deal And Temporary Ceasefire Delayed Until Friday

As per the latest figures from the Israeli military, Hamas is holding 236 hostages, including foreign nationals from 26 countries. Four hostages, two Israeli women and two American women, have been freed, in addition to one Israeli soldier already rescued by Israel.

In a statement, Israel’s National Security Council has said the first group of hostages would not be released before Friday. Moreover, the start of the agreed temporary ceasefire has also been delayed until Friday, CNN quoted an Israeli official as saying.