Hamas and Israel announced on Wednesday that a third and exceptional prisoner exchange will take place on Thursday, involving three Israeli detainees, including Arbel Yehud. Meanwhile, Hamas' "Prisoners' Information Office" stated that 110 Palestinian prisoners, including children, will be released.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, confirmed that it had decided to release three Israeli detainees on Thursday: Arbel Yehud, Agam Berger, and Gadi Moshe Moses. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office also stated that it had received the list of detainees set to be released. A Hamas official said that the three Israeli detainees would be freed before noon on Thursday, with their names already submitted to Israel via mediators.
Hamas' "Prisoners' Information Office" announced that Israel will release 110 Palestinian prisoners, including 32 serving life sentences, 48 with long sentences, and 30 minors.
A source said that Israel is expected to proceed with the release if it considers Arbel Yehud a civilian. Yehud, currently held by the Islamic Jihad movement, became a point of political contention between Israel and Hamas during the second prisoner exchange round.
Israel threatened to block displaced Palestinians from returning to northern Gaza before eventually allowing them back after mediation efforts.
Israel insists that Arbel Yehud is a civilian, while Islamic Jihad claims she is a soldier working in the Israeli force’s space program.
So far, Hamas has released three civilian women and four female soldiers in the first phase of the ceasefire agreement, which took effect on January 19. In return, Israel has released 290 Palestinian detainees, both convicted and non-convicted.
Source : Safa News
