Why Israel's Release of 735 Palestinian Prisoners is a Game-Changer

Israel will release 735 Palestinian inmates as part of the first phase of the Gaza truce and hostage release arrangement reached with Hamas, the justice ministry said in a statement early Saturday.

The agreement, which is due to take effect on Sunday, will be divided into three phases. The first phase is planned to take six weeks, during which 33 Israeli hostages will be released.

The ministry statement came shortly after the Israeli cabinet accepted the pact, opening the path for its implementation on Sunday.
 

The ministry disclosed the identities of all inmates due for release, with the exception of 25 children aged 16 to 18.

The ministry previously stated that 95 convicts, including 70 girls and 25 males, will be released on Sunday.

According to two US sources, three female Israeli civilian hostages are anticipated to be freed on Sunday in return.

All of this was conceivable until a meeting was formed to cease fire and release.

According to a statement from the prime minister's office, Israel's government has authorized a cease-fire and hostage arrangement, which will go into effect on Sunday.

The deal was adopted by the 33-member group of ministers on Friday, following a recommendation by the smaller security cabinet. The deliberations lasted seven hours, from late Friday night until early Saturday am local time.

Though Israel's Supreme Court will continue to consider petitions from Israelis opposing the release of Palestinian inmates, that process is not likely to impede the ceasefire, which is set to begin on Sunday.

Three hostages detained in Gaza are anticipated to be released on the first day. It will be the first break from war for Palestinians in Gaza in over a year, allowing humanitarian aid into the territory.