JERUSALEM: The Israeli justice ministry published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners, the majority women, who are to be freed starting Sunday as part of the first exchange for Israeli captives under a Gaza ceasefire deal.
“The release of prisoners is... subject to government approval of the (ceasefire) plan and will not take place before Sunday 16:00 (1400 GMT),” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
Israel’s security cabinet approved the deal, while the full cabinet will convene to vote on it later on Friday.
The list includes 69 women, 16 men and 10 minors.
According to the ministry, the youngest inmate on the list is 16.
The list includes only seven prisoners who were arrested before the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.
Among those on the list is also Khalida Jarar, a leftist Palestinian lawmaker whom Israel arrested and imprisoned on several occasions.
Jarar is a prominent member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a group designated a “terrorist organization” by Israel, the United States and the European Union.
Detained in late December in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory occupied by Israel since 1967, the 60-year-old has been held since then without charge.
In September 2021, she was released after serving a two-year sentence in an Israeli prison for participating in PFLP activities.
According to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the release of hostages as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is expected to begin Sunday.
Two sources close to Hamas told AFP that the first group of hostages to be released consists of three Israeli women soldiers.
However, since the Palestinian Islamist movement considers any Israeli of military age who has completed mandatory service a soldier, the reference could also apply to civilians abducted during the attack that triggered the war.
The first three names on a list obtained by AFP of the 33 hostages set to be released in the first phase are women under 30 who were not in military service on the day of the Hamas attack.
Justice ministry spokeswoman Noga Katz said the final number of prisoners to be released in the first swap would depend on the number of live hostages released by Hamas.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called on political allies to vote against the Gaza deal, stating it would see the release of several Palestinian militants “serving life sentences” for killing Israelis.
Israel publishes list of 95 Palestinian prisoners eligible for release starting Sunday
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Israel publishes list of 95 Palestinian prisoners eligible for release starting Sunday
- “The release of prisoners is... subject to government approval of the (ceasefire) plan and will not take place before Sunday,” the ministry said
- Among those on the list is also Khalida Jarar, a leftist Palestinian lawmaker whom Israel arrested and imprisoned on several occasions
US envoy to UN discusses Jordan’s humanitarian aid for Gaza
- Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, along with UN and US delegation, inaugurated new JHCS logistics operations center
- US Ambassador to UN Mike Waltz’s visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support Gaza’s humanitarian operations in the coming period
LONDON: Prince Rashid bin El-Hassan, chairman of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, met with US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz to discuss Jordan’s aid efforts for the Gaza Strip.
During the meeting, attended by representatives from UN agencies in Jordan and a delegation from the US Embassy in Amman, Prince Rashid emphasized Jordan’s commitment to continuing its humanitarian efforts in support of Gaza through international partnerships.
The meeting also discussed ways to improve the Jordanian relief corridor and to eliminate all obstacles, ensuring efficient delivery of aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave.
Prince Rashid, along with the UN and US delegation, inaugurated the new JHCO logistics operations center.
Waltz highlighted the US partnership with Jordan, recognizing its role in delivering humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. He mentioned that US assistance includes tents, blankets, medical supplies, food, and flour, according to the Petra news agency.
Waltz emphasized that the ceasefire and the implementation of the agreement, along with the release of hostages, are vital for Gaza’s reconstruction, enhanced security, and expanded humanitarian aid efforts.
He said his visit aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles to support humanitarian operations in the coming period, Petra reported.
