Israel to free 150 Palestinian prisoners, 50 Israelis to be released: media

JERUSALEM (AA/AFP) – As Israel and Hamas announced a truce-for-hostage deal on Wednesday, Israeli media revealed details of the agreement.

According to Israeli Channel 12, the deal is expected to be implemented on Thursday or Friday.

Under the Qatar-mediated agreement, 50 Israelis held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

The deal also includes a four-day pause in fighting and the entry of 300 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, including fuel, into the Gaza Strip.

The agreement also allows an extension of the cease-fire and the potential release of more children and women held by the two sides.

The channel said the set-to-be-freed Israelis will include 30 children, 8 mothers and 12 other women.

Israel in return will release three Palestinian detainees in exchange for every freed Israeli, the channel said.

According to Israeli Channel 13, 12 or 13 Israeli hostages will be released daily during the 4-day cease-fire.

Another 20 Israeli hostages could be released for a 2-day extension of the cease-fire, the broadcaster said.

Israel estimates that another 30 hostages can be released from Hamas captivity, the channel said.

“The Israeli army will continue its control over the northern part of the Gaza Strip,” the channel said. “Fuel will only be allowed into Gaza during the cease-fire period,” it added.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that 10 Israeli hostages will be freed in the first stage, to be followed by the release of the first group of Palestinian prisoners.

“This is the best deal you can get at this time,” the Israeli channel said, citing an unnamed Israeli security official.

– All Israeli nationals –

All the hostages to be freed hold Israeli nationality, an Israeli political source told public broadcaster KAN.

“If Hamas releases foreign nationals, that will be outside the deal,” the source said.

After weeks of Qatar-brokered negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved the truce accord Wednesday after a near-all-night meeting, in which he told ministers this was a “difficult decision but it’s a right decision”.
The cabinet’s sign-off was one of the last stumbling blocks after what one US official described as five “extremely excruciating” weeks of talks.
Hamas released a statement welcoming the “humanitarian truce”.
“The resistance is committed to the truce as long as the occupation honours it,” a Hamas official told AFP.
Israel said that the agreement did not spell the end of the war.
For every 10 additional hostages released, there would be an extra day’s “pause”, the Israeli government said.

– Biden ‘extraordinarily gratified’ – 

The negotiations have involved the US Central Intelligence Agency, Israel’s overseas spy agency Mossad, Egyptian intelligence, and leaders in Doha, Cairo, Washington, Gaza and Israel.
A senior US official said three Americans, including three-year-old Abigail Mor Idan, were among the 50 earmarked for staggered release from Thursday.
US President Joe Biden said he was “extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls… will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented”.
Qatar’s foreign ministry confirmed the deal, saying that “a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons” would be released in exchange for the hostages.
“The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension,” the ministry said.
The deal was greeted by countries including Britain, China, Egypt, France and Germany, whose Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock hailed the “breakthrough” and said “the humanitarian pause must be used to bring vital aid to people in Gaza”.

– Misgivings –

Ahead of the Israeli cabinet vote, Netanyahu had faced criticism from within his right-wing coalition, some of whom thought the deal gave too much to the Palestinians.
Hardline Minister for National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir signalled he would vote against the agreement, saying it should include the release of Israeli soldiers also taken by Hamas.
But with dozens of families in Israel who are desperate to have their loved ones returned home, and the Israeli public gripped by the hostages’ fate, the government ultimately set aside any misgivings.
Israel’s hawkish Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said before the crunch meeting that he had won assurances that the deal would not spell the end of the war.
“Immediately after we have exhausted this phase” he said, security operations would “continue in full force”.
The government underscored in a statement that Israel “will continue the war in order to return home all of the hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza”.

– ‘Unbearable situation’ –

Earlier, Gaza resident Hamza Abdel Razeq said he would welcome any ceasefire agreement, hoping it would bring some respite.
“The people are really suffering,” he told AFP. “I believe it will pave the way for longer truces or even a total ceasefire.”
A US official said there was also hope that the deal would lead to a “full pause” in fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border with Hezbollah.
Since Israel’s war against Palestine began, the border has seen escalating exchanges of fire, killing scores on both sides.
Another Gaza resident, Mahmud Abu Najm, said: “We… pray to God for its success because the people are enduring an unbearable situation.”
Large parts of Gaza have been flattened by thousands of air strikes, and the territory is under siege, with minimal food, water and fuel allowed in by Israel.