Israel Releases Palestinian Prisoners Under Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Israel initiated the release of Palestinian prisoners on Monday, implementing a key component of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire agreement. The prisoner exchange represents a significant confidence-building measure following Hamas's earlier transfer of twenty Israeli captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

According to the Hamas-run Prisoners' Media Office, buses carrying freed Palestinian detainees departed from Ofer Prison, located west of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The vehicles transported former prisoners to Beitunia town, marking the first wave of releases under the carefully negotiated exchange arrangement.

Additional prisoner transports were reported moving from Negev Prison in southern Israel toward the Gaza Strip border. The coordinated releases to both the West Bank and Gaza territories demonstrate the comprehensive nature of the exchange program, which forms a central pillar of the ceasefire agreement that took effect last Friday.

The prisoner releases commenced hours after Hamas militants handed over twenty living Israeli hostages to international mediators. This reciprocal action represents the first phase of the broader ceasefire deal, which also includes provisions for gradual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and the eventual release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in total.

The prisoner exchange occurs within the context of the 20-point peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump, which aims to establish lasting stability in the region. Future agreement phases envision establishing new governance structures in Gaza and deploying multinational security forces to maintain the ceasefire.