Israel is set to release 602 Palestinian prisoners on Saturday, including 50 individuals serving life sentences and 60 others with extended prison terms, according to the Palestinian Prisoners Media Office in Gaza.
This development is a crucial aspect of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal, following the submission of names by Palestinian factions for the release of six Israeli hostages on Saturday.
In a statement, the media office confirmed that, alongside those serving life and long-term sentences, 47 Palestinians who were rearrested after their 2011 release under the “Shalit Deal” will also regain their freedom.
Additionally, 445 Palestinians from Gaza, detained after October 7, 2023, will be released.
Earlier on Friday, Hamas’ military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, revealed the identities of six Israeli captives set for release on Saturday as part of the seventh batch of the exchange.
So far, Israel has recovered 19 captives along with four bodies. On Saturday, six more captives will be returned, while four additional bodies are expected to be handed over next week, marking the completion of the first phase of the deal.
In exchange, Israel has already freed 1,135 Palestinian prisoners, including dozens sentenced to life imprisonment.
However, negotiations for the second phase of the agreement, originally planned for February 3, have been delayed by Israel.
The ceasefire agreement, which came into effect last month, halted Israel’s devastating military offensive, which has killed at least 48,300 people, mostly women and children, while leaving Gaza in ruins.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military actions in the enclave.
