Identifying the Palestinian Prisoners Included in Israel's Potential Release List
Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to exchange 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails for the release of at least 50 women and children held in Gaza during a four-day ceasefire A significant step towards peace in the ongoing conflict
After almost seven weeks of conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to exchange 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails for at least 50 women and children held in Gaza during a four-day ceasefire. Hamas announced on Wednesday that the prisoners involved are predominantly women and children. The deal also includes the delivery of aid relief, medical supplies, and fuel to all areas of the besieged territory through the entry of hundreds of trucks.
On Wednesday, the Israeli government released a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners who may be released in a potential second phase of exchanges. The list includes the ages of the prisoners and the charges they are facing, including common charges such as throwing stones and "harming regional security."
Some individuals are detained for their involvement in supporting illegal terror organizations, facing illegal weapons charges, incitement, and at least two allegations of attempted murder. Among them, are individuals associated with Hamas and other Islamic militant groups, while others are not affiliated with any organization.
The family of a young Palestinian prisoner watches TV news updates on the Israel-Hamas hostage deal, near Hebron, on November 21, 2023.
Mussa Qawasma/Reuters
The majority of Palestinian prisoners who are eligible for release are male teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18, some as young as 14, while 33 are women, as reported by CNN. Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Prisoners Affairs, stated that there are currently around 8,300 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Families and friends of hostages held in Gaza call for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to bring them home, during a demonstration in Tel Aviv on November 21, 2023.
Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images
What do we know about the Israel-Hamas hostage deal?
Israel is currently holding over 3,000 individuals in “administrative detention,” according to Fares who spoke with CNN. This means they are being held without being informed of any charges against them and without a legal process in progress. Fares also noted that the majority of the prisoners are male, but there are also approximately 85 women and 350 children in detainment.
Israel has increased its number of arrests following the attacks by Hamas on October 7. In the month of the attacks, the Palestinian Prisoners Society documented up to 2,070 arrests in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, including 145 children and 55 women. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh told Reuters last week that Israel had been increasing its arrests in preparation for a prisoner exchange, claiming that they are arresting as many people as they can in anticipation of such a deal.
On November 15, 2023, Qadura Fares, the leader of the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Prisoners Affairs, was interviewed by Reuters at his office in Ramallah.
James Oatway/Reuters
Wednesdays diplomatic breakthrough offers a glimmer of hope for the families of Palestinian prisoners, as well as those of Israeli hostages.
Hamas currently has 236 hostages in Gaza, including individuals from 26 different countries, based on the most recent information from the Israeli military. These abductions occurred on October 7 during an aggressive attack by Hamas militants on Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 individuals.
To date, four hostages have been released, consisting of two American women and two Israeli women. Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully rescued an Israeli soldier who had been taken captive by Hamas.
Israel's Cabinet Secretariat announced that the first phase of the deal will involve the release of 150 prisoners in four stages over four days. It is also possible that more Palestinians from the list of 300 detainees will be released in exchange for at least 10 Israeli abductees being handed over to Israeli security forces each day. To uphold the agreement, there will be a cessation of hostilities during the four-day period.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
