Hamas is expected to provide Israel with the names of four hostages scheduled for release on Saturday as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. It is believed that these individuals will include both soldiers and female civilians. In return, 180 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel will be set free.
This will mark the second hostage exchange since the ceasefire went into effect the previous Sunday, with three hostages and 90 prisoners being released in the initial swap.
The ceasefire halted the conflict that began with Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals and 251 hostages being taken back to Gaza.
Furthermore, Hamas is anticipated to disclose information regarding the remaining 26 hostages slated for release over the next five weeks. Among them are the Bibas family, comprising two parents and two children. Kfir, one of the children, was only 10 months old when captured, making him the youngest hostage. It remains uncertain whether this information will detail specific names or solely the count of living or deceased hostages.
The upcoming release of prisoners will involve individuals of a more serious profile than those freed in the initial exchange, including individuals serving sentences exceeding 15 years, some of whom have been convicted of homicide. Israel has made it clear that none of those involved in the October 7 attacks will be among those freed.
The ceasefire accord was the result of extensive indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt. It is set to be executed in three phases, with the second phase scheduled to commence six weeks into the truce. During the initial phase, around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for 33 hostages. Concurrently, Israeli forces will initiate a withdrawal from positions in Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes or areas from which they were displaced.
The objective of the ceasefire is to establish a lasting peace in Gaza. As of now, 91 hostages taken on October 7, 2023, are still held in Gaza, with 57 presumed to be alive by Israeli authorities. A fraction of these hostages, including two still living, have been in captivity for over a decade.