Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday that the cabinet has endorsed the ceasefire proposal for the Gaza Strip and the liberation of all remaining hostages and Palestinian detainees. The approved plan involves the release of the captives, with the process set to commence by Sunday or Monday.
Steve Witkoff, the chief negotiator for President Donald Trump on the Gaza crisis, confirmed that Israeli troops have withdrawn in accordance with the ceasefire terms. He stated via social media that the 72-hour countdown for the hostage release has commenced.
President Trump, during a recent cabinet meeting, emphasized the complexity of the hostage release operation, highlighting the challenging conditions for those being held. Specific details on the exchange mechanism remain limited at this stage.
The agreement stipulates that within 72 hours of the military’s repositioning, all 48 hostages are to be freed from Gaza and handed over to Israeli authorities. This includes 20 confirmed survivors, with efforts ongoing to locate deceased hostages’ remains.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will facilitate the hostage and prisoner exchange process. The ICRC’s involvement in past ceasefires has been crucial in ensuring the safe transfer of released individuals.
Notable Palestinian figures like Marwan Barghouti are not included in the list of prisoners set for release by Israel. The prisoner roster released by Israel excludes prominent individuals like Ahmad Sa’adat, Ibrahim Hamed, and Hassan Salameh, while including figures like Ra’ad Sheikh and Iyad Abu al-Rub.
The complex operation of releasing hostages and prisoners poses a significant challenge to the ICRC, with preparations underway for various scenarios. The tight deadline for the hostage release within 72 hours adds pressure to the process.
The upcoming release of hostages and prisoners marks a critical phase in the efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region.
