Israeli authorities revealed this Friday a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners likely to be released on Sunday, as part of the first phase of the truce agreement concluded with Hamas. The latter aims to put an end to a conflict which has lasted for more than fifteen months.
According to a press release from the Israeli Ministry of Justice, “the release of the prisoners (…) will not take place before Sunday at 4 p.m.” (2 p.m. GMT). This agreement, approved by the Israeli security cabinet and awaiting government validation, provides for an initial exchange: 33 hostages held in Gaza would be released in exchange for several hundred Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
The beginning of a long process
This initiative marks the start of a broader process aimed at defusing tensions in the region. The truce is expected to come into force on Sunday, a crucial step after months of prolonged violence.
At the same time, the Israeli council of ministers met this Friday evening to vote on the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, a few hours after the green light to the agreement given by the more restricted security cabinet. The spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, Omar Dostri, confirmed that the meeting had started.