Israel has confirmed it will release 737 hostages as part of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, approved on Saturday. After days of uncertainty, this decision puts the ceasefire into motion this weekend.
The Ministry of Justice authorised the release of those currently held in Israeli prisons. The group includes men, women, and children. However, they will not be freed before Sunday at 4:00 pm local time (1400 GMT). The release marks a significant step towards easing tensions, following months of escalating violence in Gaza.
Prominent individuals included in the release
Among those to be freed are key figures such as Zakaria Zubeidi. He leads Fatah’s armed wing and gained widespread attention when he escaped from Israel’s Gilboa prison in 2021. His escape sparked a major manhunt, and Palestinians view him as a hero. Zubeidi has since maintained a strong influence among Palestinian militants.
Khalida Jarar, a 60-year-old lawmaker, also appears on the release list. She is an influential activist and a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). The Israeli government, along with the U.S. and the EU, classifies the PFLP as a terrorist group. Since late December, Israeli authorities have detained Jarar in the West Bank without charge.
Hostages release and the steps ahead
Additionally, Hamas sources have confirmed that the first hostages to be freed will include three Israeli women soldiers. Hamas views anyone who has completed military service as a soldier. This may also apply to civilians taken during the initial attack.
An AFP list reveals the first three hostages set for release are women under 30. Notably, none of them were in military service when the attack occurred.
Finally, Noga Katz, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, explained that the final number of hostages released will depend on the number of hostages Hamas decides to free. As discussions continue, both sides hope for further progress in easing hostilities and facilitating peace negotiations.
