Prisoner Exchange Underway as Qassam Declares Victory – Day 738
Gaza’s security forces have gained full control over the armed militia in Gaza City and are carrying out a comprehensive sweep, following the assassination of Palestinian journalist Saleh Aljafarawi.
Meanwhile, twenty nations, including the United States, will gather in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Monday to endorse and solidify the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed 67,806 and injured 170,066 others, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.
News Roundup: Prisoner Exchange Underway as Qassam Declares Victory
Red Cross Initiates Release:
The Red Cross announced that its teams have begun the process of releasing Israeli captives in Gaza. Red Cross buses were confirmed to be en route to the initial handover point in northern Gaza.
Handover in Stages:
Israel’s Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the release of Israeli captives will occur in three consecutive stages at specific points inside the Gaza Strip. The transfer is expected to happen in two batches between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM (Mecca time).
Initial Prisoner Handover:
Israel Hayom reported that the Israeli Army received 7 captives from the Red Cross after their earlier release from the Gaza Strip. Channel 13 confirmed the Red Cross notified Israel of receiving these 7 captives.
Continuation of Handover:
Al-Jazeera sources indicated that the handover of live captives will be completed at 10:00 AM in the southern Gaza Strip.
Palestinian Prisoner Release Details:
A source involved in the operation told Reuters that 1,716 Palestinians from Gaza are expected to be released today at the Nasser Medical Complex. Additionally, 250 Palestinians serving life sentences in Israeli jails are expected to be released today to the West Bank, Jerusalem, and abroad.
Sick Prisoner Transfer:
The Palestinian Red Crescent announced that its teams entered Ofer Prison to transfer a sick prisoner scheduled for release today, Monday.
Logistics Prepared:
The Israeli Prison Service completed its preparations for the release of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli media also reported that families of Israeli captives were instructed to be ready to travel to the Re’im military base reception compound.
Al-Qassam’s Statement and Captive List:
Al-Qassam Brigades published the names of 20 live Israeli captives scheduled for release as part of the “Al-Aqsa Flood Exchange Deal.” The list was confirmed by the Israeli Army Radio to match the list known to Israel.
Al-Qassam asserted that the enemy “failed to retrieve its captives through military pressure,” despite its intelligence superiority and overwhelming force, and is now “submitting” to an exchange deal as promised from the beginning.
Al-Qassam announced its adherence to the agreement, provided the occupation does the same, stating the deal is the “fruit of the steadfastness of our people and the resilience of its resistance fighters.”
Trump’s “Greatest Achievement”:
Axios quoted President Trump as saying that the Gaza peace agreement “may be my greatest achievement.”
Trump added that the group of nations attending the peace conference in Egypt indicates that the world is united on the plan.
Hundreds of people were reported to be gathering at the “Hostages Square” in central Tel Aviv, awaiting the start of the exchange process. Israeli reports mentioned an alternate list of 5 Gaza prisoners, including Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, who could be released if adjustments were made to the numbers.
