Palestinian group Hamas handed over seven Israeli hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza on Monday, an official involved in the operation said, under the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, which was set to release hundreds of Palestinians from its jails in exchange.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Prisoners’ Media Office published on Monday the lists of Palestinian prisoners to be released under the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The office published the names of 1,718 Palestinian prisoners, and 250 serving life sentences, to be released in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
The ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, the biggest step yet toward ending two years of war, aims to pave the way for a lasting peace under a 20-point plan by U.S. President Donald Trump, who was due to land in Israel soon after the release.
The key exchange followed a breakthrough ceasefire after two years of war. U.S. President Donald Trump was also arriving in the region along with other leaders to discuss the U.S.-proposed deal and postwar plans.