
In a pivotal move, Egypt revealed that Israel will release over 1,890 Palestinian prisoners during the first phase of a Gaza truce.
The Egyptian foreign ministry announced the exchange would coincide with the release of 33 Israeli hostages held by militants in Gaza.
This truce, brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, is set to commence at 6:30 GMT on Sunday.
According to Israel’s justice ministry, 737 Palestinian detainees will be released in the initial hours, with more to follow in this 42-day agreement.
The deal marks a significant moment in a war that erupted on October 7, 2023, following Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Of the 251 individuals taken hostage during the attack, 94 remain in Gaza, with 34 presumed dead, according to Israeli military sources.
The upcoming ceasefire will be only the second in 15 months of devastating conflict, which has claimed over 50,000 lives and left Gaza in ruins.
It symbolizes a rare moment of hope amidst immense human suffering.
Egypt expressed gratitude to Qatar for its mediation and acknowledged the role of U.S. leadership in securing the truce.
Notably, the ceasefire will take effect on the eve of Donald Trump’s second-term inauguration as U.S. president, marking a unique diplomatic backdrop.
This truce underscores the potential for negotiation in a region long plagued by conflict, offering a brief reprieve to countless lives on both sides.