Israel to Free 200 Palestinian Prisoners

Prisoners include 120 who are serving life sentences in Israeli jails

Sat Jan 25 2025
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Key points

  • Exchange part of ceasefire deal
  • Further details have not been released
  • Four Israeli hostages handed to the Red Cross

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: Israel is set to free 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for four Israeli women hostages in a Saturday swap, as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas in Gaza, Palestinian sources told AFP.

The prisoners include 120 who are serving life sentences, a source said on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, ahead of the swap.

SDJF
Members of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. —Photo from Social Media/ X

“In good condition”

According to Al Jazeera, Hamas has handed over four female Israeli soldiers to the Red Cross in Palestine Square’s Gaza City.

The soldiers, who appeared to be in good condition and each carried a bag, were seen smiling as they waved to the ground and gave the thumbs-up and victory signs, it said.

HAM
—Photo by AFP

Out of the 200 Palestinian prisoners to be released on Saturday, Israelis will deport 70 outside of Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Withdrawal from Netzarim Corridor

After the exchange, Israeli forces are set to withdraw from Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor, paving the way for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the north of the enclave.

Palestinians in Gaza are already packing their belongings and queuing up outside of Netzarim as they ready for their journeys, Al Jazeera reported.

Gaza, Israel, Palestine, ceasefire deal,
A boy runs with a Palestinian flag atop a mound of rubble at a camp for people displaced by conflict in Bureij in the central Gaza Strip on January 17, 2025 following the announcement of a truce amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. —Photo by AFP
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