The cease-fire settlement reached between Israel and Hamas this week units in movement the discharge of dozens of hostages that Hamas and its allies have been holding in Gaza for the reason that begin of the conflict greater than a yr in the past.
About 100 hostages, residing and useless, are regarded as held captive in Gaza, most of whom had been seized when Hamas stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 folks and capturing about 250. In keeping with the deal, 33 of these remaining hostages will probably be launched throughout an preliminary six-week part of the cease-fire, the primary main launch since a weeklong truce seven weeks into the conflict. In trade, Israel will launch greater than 1,000 imprisoned Palestinians.
The primary hostage-for-prisoner swap will start no sooner than 4 p.m. on Sunday, in line with the deal. Here’s what else we learn about how the plan foresees their launch.
Who’re the hostages being launched?
The 33 hostages who will probably be launched within the first part embrace feminine captives who’re alive and useless, civilian teenage boys and kids, males 50 and older, feminine troopers and sick and wounded civilians.
Israeli authorities imagine that round 35 of the remaining captives in Gaza are useless. In keeping with the settlement, human stays will probably be launched after hostages who’re alive have been freed.
In a televised deal with on Saturday night, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, stated “most” of the 33 hostages who will probably be freed beneath the settlement are alive.
How will the discharge work?
The releases will probably be staggered, in line with the plan. On the primary day, Hamas will launch three feminine hostages who’re alive in trade for Palestinian prisoners. On the seventh day, 4 feminine hostages who’re alive will probably be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.
From the 14th day by way of the fifth week of the settlement, Palestinian prisoners will probably be launched each seven days in trade for 3 female and male hostages.
The remaining hostages agreed to within the first part will probably be launched in trade for Palestinian prisoners throughout the sixth week.
Additionally throughout the sixth week, as soon as all 33 hostages have been freed and returned to Israel, Israel will launch 47 prisoners who had been rearrested after being launched in a 2011 deal that noticed over 1,000 Palestinians freed in trade for a captive Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
Israeli authorities have established three reception factors to obtain the hostages alongside the Gaza border, in line with an Israeli navy official who spoke on situation of anonymity in accordance with protocol. These reception factors will probably be staffed by Israeli troopers, docs and psychologists, stated the official.
What number of Palestinian prisoners will probably be freed?
Dozens of Palestinians held in Israel will probably be launched for every hostage within the preliminary six week part, together with some serving life sentences.
The deal outlines the factors of the hostage-for-prisoner swap. In keeping with the settlement, the discharge of a hostage or Israeli civilian who is eighteen or youthful and is alive requires the discharge of 30 Palestinian prisoners who’re girls or kids.
An Israeli civilian man who’s 50 or older and is alive will be freed in trade for 30 Palestinian prisoners. An Israeli feminine soldier who’s alive requires the discharge of fifty Palestinian prisoners. A complete of 110 Palestinian prisoners will probably be launched in trade for 9 Israeli male civilians who’re wounded or sick.
What number of hostages have already been launched?
Early within the conflict, Hamas launched 4 hostages — two Israeli-American girls, Judith Raanan, then 59, and her daughter, Natalie Raanan, then 17, and two Israeli girls, Nurit Cooper, then 79, and Yocheved Lifshitz, then 85, citing humanitarian causes. Greater than 100 hostages had been freed in November 2023 throughout a staggered truce between Israel and Hamas. In trade, about 240 Palestinians held in Israel had been launched.
Along with those that have already been launched, eight hostages have been freed in Israeli navy operations for the reason that begin of the conflict.
What number of hostages left in Gaza are Individuals?
In a speech on Tuesday, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stated seven Individuals had been nonetheless being held captive. Edan Alexander and Sagui Dekel-Chen had been believed to be alive as of December, in line with the American Jewish Council.
A number of of the remaining 5 had been declared useless early within the conflict. Their our bodies stay in Gaza.
Ephrat Livni and Aaron Boxerman contributed reporting.
