A ceasefire in Gaza is set to begin tomorrow, raising hopes of an end to a year-long war that has left thousands dead after Israeli forces bombed the strip in response to attacks on civilians by Palestinian groups. Hundreds of Israelis were abducted and dragged across the border during the October 7 attack, some of whom are due to return from Gaza after 15 months in exchange for prisoners held by Israel. Here are some details on the hostage deal and who are the captives to be released by Israel and Hamas:
What’s the deal?
The Israeli cabinet has approved a ceasefire and the release of hostages, which was previously agreed to by Hamas, which has been at the forefront of the Palestinian resistance.
The first phase of the six-week agreement will lead to a “complete ceasefire”, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday. This will stop the fighting between Israel and Hamas, giving hope to millions of people forced from their homes and who are waiting for their loved ones.
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A spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, which helped broker the agreement, said the ceasefire would take effect at 0630 GMT on Sunday.
Who will be free from Israel?
Protesters celebrate in support of Palestinians in Rabat, Morocco
737 detainees will be freed from Israeli prisons in the first phase, the Justice Ministry has confirmed. These will include men, women and children. The government has claimed that they will not push the release past 4pm local time or 1400 GMT on Sunday.
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Zakaria Zubaidi, who heads the armed wing of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah party and is viewed as a hero by Palestinians, is on the list. The list includes Khalifa Jarrar, a leftist lawmaker and a prominent member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is banned as a “terrorist” group by Israel, the US and the EU.
According to the Israeli spokesperson, the number of prisoners to be released will ultimately depend on how many surviving hostages Hamas releases.
Which mortgages will be freed?
Protesters in Tel Aviv are demanding the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza.
In the first phase, a total of 33 hostages kidnapped by Hamas will be freed. During the 2023 attack, approximately 251 people were taken hostage. Of those, the Israeli military believes 34 have been killed and 94 remain in Gaza.
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The list includes at least three Israeli female soldiers, news agency AFP reported, citing Hamas sources, although it may also include civilians abducted during the October attack as the group counts every Israeli of military age as a former soldier. A soldier assumes military service.
Local media identified the hostages released yesterday as Liri Albagh, Itzhak Elgarat, Karina Ariev, Ohad Ben Ami, Ariel Bibas, Yarden Bibas, Kfir Bibas, Shiri Bibas, Agam Berger, Gonen Romi, Daniela Gilboa, Emily Damri, Sagui I have done. Dekel Chen, Iyer Horn, Omar Wenkert, Alexandre Sasha Trofanov, Arbel Yehoud, Ohad Yahalomi, Elia Cohen, Yaa Levi, Naama Levi, Oded Lifshitz, Gadi Moshe Mozes, Avraham (Avera) Mengisto, Shlomo Mantzur, Keith Samuel Sigal, Tsachi Idan , Ofer Calderon, Tal Shoham, Doron Steinbrecher, Omer Shem Tov, Hisham El-Sayed, and Elie Sharabi.