Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
The Israeli government has confirmed that the release of hostages held in Gaza will take place at dawn on Monday, according to a statement reported by Cairo News Channel.
A total of 20 hostages are expected to be released in a single batch as part of the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. This step is in line with the implementation timeline discussed in the lead-up to the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, where international leaders are gathering to finalize a deal to end the war in Gaza.
Upon their release, the hostages will undergo immediate medical examinations to assess their health conditions after months in captivity.
Israeli officials also clarified that Marwan Barghouti, the prominent Palestinian political figure imprisoned since 2002, is not included in this stage of the prisoner exchange. Authorities added that all logistical and medical preparations have been completed to receive the hostages, including the remains of those who are believed to have died during their time in captivity.
The release is part of a broader agreement involving the exchange of 47 Israeli hostages, including the remains of one individual abducted in 2014, in return for 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza who have been arrested since the beginning of the conflict.
This initial exchange is viewed as a critical step toward reducing tensions and establishing the groundwork for long-term humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, under the supervision of international monitors.
