Hamas releases all 20 living Israeli hostages, release of Palestinian prisoners starts

Gaza: The Palestinian resistance group Hamas handed over all 20 living Israeli hostages in Gaza to the International Committee of the Red Cross in two phases after a ceasefire agreement was reached on Monday. The process of releasing Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails has also begun.

According to the AFP news agency, the Israeli state broadcaster reported that Hamas handed over all 20 living Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Gaza on Monday.

The report said that the hostages were released in two phases, with 13 hostages being transferred to the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in the second phase.

According to Arab media, Red Cross vehicles reached the Deir al-Balah area of ​​Gaza for the exchange of hostages and prisoners between Hamas and Israel. Palestinian prisoners are boarding buses from Israeli prisons. After the release, 1,966 Palestinian prisoners will be transferred to Al-Nasr Hospital in Gaza.

Israel says that the Palestinian prisoners will be released as soon as the Israeli hostages are released.

According to Arab media, under the agreement, about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for 20 Israeli hostages. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, has released a list of 20 living Israeli hostages, while preparations for the release of Israeli hostages in Khan Yunis have been completed, and a large number of people have gathered near the release site.

On the other hand, a formal signing ceremony for the Gaza peace agreement will be held in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheik today. US President Donald Trump and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are also going to Egypt to attend the signing ceremony for the Gaza peace agreement.

It was earlier reported that in exchange for the return of the hostages, Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences. In addition, more than 1,700 prisoners who were arrested during the war and who were not charged with any crimes will be released, including about two dozen children.

On the other hand, trucks loaded with aid are entering Gaza, while Palestinians who were displaced to the south due to the Israeli operation are returning to northern Gaza. But upon arrival, they are witnessing scenes of destruction as Gaza City has been reduced to rubble.