Ceasefire: Israel to release 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in first phase of deal
Agencies
19/01/2025
File photo shows a group of Palestinian prisoners waving the Palestinian flag upon their release from the Israeli Military Prison in November 2023. - Reuters file photo
BAITULMAQDIS: Israel is expected to release nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement for hostages, which will take effect this morning.
The ceasefire agreement has three phases with the first phase expected to last for six weeks and see the release of 33 Israeli hostages.
Foreign hostages, including U.S. citizens, are also expected to be released, sources familiar with the deal told CNN on Friday. The Israeli government approved the ceasefire agreement after more than seven hours of talks on Friday until early Saturday morning.
As part of a resolution to approve the agreement, the government on Friday stated that it had approved the release of 737 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as well as 1,167 Gazans detained during the military offensive in the territory.
However, the Gaza-based Prisoner Media Office said in a statement on Saturday that Israel would release 1,737 prisoners, including 120 women and children.
Nearly 300 Palestinians serving life sentences are also included in the release list, according to the organization.
It is unclear why the two sides are issuing different figures.
CNN has contacted both for further clarification. - CNN
