Israel is set to release 95 Palestinian prisoners — including 10 teenagers — on the first day of the ceasefire in Gaza and the hostage agreement reached by Israel and Hamas, the Israeli Ministry of Justice said in a statement on Friday (17).
The ceasefire and hostage agreement are expected to come into force this Sunday (19) and include three phases. The first phase should last six weeks.
The total number of prisoners scheduled to be released on Sunday includes 70 women and 25 men, according to the statement. The list also includes 10 minors, whose ages vary between 16 and 18 years old.
The Israeli Ministry of Justice released the names of all prisoners, excluding the names of 10 minors.
The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS), an NGO that defends the rights of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, told CNN that at least two people on the list have already been released. THE CNN contacted the Israeli Ministry of Justice to obtain clarification on the matter.
Three Israeli hostages are expected to be released on Sunday in the Palestinian prisoner exchange, according to two US officials.
Understand the conflict in the Gaza Strip
Israel has carried out intense airstrikes in the Gaza Strip since last year, after Hamas invaded the country and killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli counts. Furthermore, the radical group holds dozens of hostages.
Hamas does not recognize Israel as a state and claims Israeli territory for Palestine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly promised to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and recover people detained in Gaza.
In addition to the air offensive, the Israeli Army carries out land incursions into Palestinian territory. This caused much of Gaza’s population to be displaced.
The UN and several humanitarian institutions have warned of a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, with a lack of food, medicine and the spread of diseases.
The Israeli population is constantly protesting against Netanyahu, accusing the prime minister of failing to reach a ceasefire agreement so that the hostages can be released.
This content was originally published in Israel must release 95 Palestinian prisoners on 1st day of ceasefire on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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