Israel has released 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, marking the first step in the negotiated deal aimed at halting months of devastating conflict in the region. The release occurred shortly after the ceasefire officially took effect on Sunday, signaling a significant move toward de-escalation.
The Israeli Prison Authority confirmed the release, with local media, including The Times of Israel, reporting that the majority of those freed were women and minors. Most of the prisoners hailed from the West Bank, while others were from East Jerusalem. Palestinian media outlets shared images and videos purportedly showing released prisoners arriving in Ramallah, greeted by family and friends in emotional scenes.
This development follows the release of the first three Israeli hostages by Hamas on Sunday afternoon. The hostages, identified by the Israeli military as Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher, were handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) before being transferred to Israeli forces. They were then transported to a hospital in Tel Aviv, where they reunited with their families.
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Hamas has confirmed plans to release four additional Israeli hostages next Saturday. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, 33 hostages will be exchanged for 1,904 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli detention over the course of six weeks.
The ceasefire deal, which aims to end the 15-month-long Gaza war, was brokered through months of diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar. The agreement outlines a three-stage process, including the withdrawal of Israeli military forces from densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip as part of the first stage.
This breakthrough marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for peace in a region long plagued by violence and unrest. As the ceasefire terms are implemented, the world watches closely to see if both parties will adhere to the agreement and build toward a more stable future.
