The release of Israeli prisoners in Gaza should begin Sunday at 4 p.m. local time, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.
According to the recently reached ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the prisoner exchange process is scheduled to begin with the first phase of 42 days, during which 33 Israeli prisoners will be released in seven phases. The first group of three prisoners will be released on Sunday.
The Israeli government has yet to confirm the exact start date of the exchange.
Israel’s security cabinet is expected to approve the deal on Friday, followed by ratification by the Israeli government.
After approval, the Israeli Ministry of Justice will release the names of the Palestinian prisoners involved in the exchange to allow the Israelis to file objections with the Supreme Court.
However, the court usually rejects such objections in prisoner exchange cases.
Along with the release of Israeli prisoners, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinians from its prisons, including some serving life sentences.
The planned release is part of a ceasefire deal agreed between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on Wednesday.
Qatar has announced a deal aimed at ending more than 15 months of deadly Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which have killed nearly 47,000 people and wounded more than 110,000.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the three-phase agreement will come into force on Sunday.
The deal includes a prisoner exchange and a permanent ceasefire, with the goal of lasting peace and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to Anatolia.
(Vijesti.ba)
