200 Palestinians set to be freed from occupation’s prisons under Gaza ceasefire deal
GAZA – Four of the Zionist occupation’s female soldiers are set to be released on Saturday in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners under the ceasefire agreement, including 120 serving life sentences and 80 prisoners with other lengthy sentences.
This is the second of such exchanges set to take place during the first two phases of a three-stage ceasefire agreement reached earlier this month.
According to media sources, the first group of Palestinians to be released today are held in the occupation’s Ofer Prison, and will be freed to the occupied West Bank. The second group consists of Palestinians detained at Negev Desert (Ketziot) Prison, with plans for their release to the Gaza Strip or deportation to Egypt.
In the first six-week phase of the deal, Hamas has agreed to release 33 captives in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in the occupation’s jails, while “Israeli” troops pull back from some of their positions in the Gaza Strip.
In a subsequent phase, the two sides would negotiate the exchange of the remaining captives, including men of military age, and the withdrawal of “Israeli” forces from Gaza.
Separately, the World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said his organisation will deliver 70,000 litres (18,500 gallons) of fuel to Gaza this week, which will help keep the 20 partially functional hospitals and health facilities operating, as well as ambulances running in Gaza City.
Essential medical supplies were also delivered to six hospitals and medical points, in addition to 21 emergency medical teams operating in the north and south of the territory.
Besides, a plane carrying medicines will help support 95,000 people in Gaza for up to three months. The shipment will be followed by two more planes carrying supplies, Tedros said in a post on social media.
“Conditions in Gaza remain challenging, and operations are complex, but our teams remain steadfast in delivering aid for immediate lifesaving needs, and also for early recovery of the health system,” he said.
The Zionist occupation’s war on Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 47,283 Palestinians and wounded 111,472 since October 7, 2023. However, the toll is expected to increase as thousands of victims remain trapped under the rubble.
