Gaza: Prisoner exchange expectations rise as ceasefire continues

People are eagerly awaiting the release of an additional batch of prisoners as part of a partial exchange deal.

Our correspondent reports that the residents of the Gaza Strip, for the first time since October 7th, have spent their night without aerial and artillery bombardment, and without clear sightings of warplanes. He added that the majority of citizens from the southern and central provinces of Gaza have returned to their homes and spent the night there or near their destroyed houses, while hundreds of thousands of displaced people from Gaza City and its northern regions remain in shelters.

While the sound of aerial and artillery bombardment has disappeared, gunshots from zionist occupation forces were heard in some areas, especially in the eastern parts of Khan Younis, Rafah, and central Gaza neighborhoods.

Local sources have reported Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement through the high-altitude reconnaissance flights of israeli aircraft last night.

Family sources confirmed the death of Hala Asaad Saleh Al-Agha, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a previous Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis.

Last night, medical sources in the Gaza Strip announced the arrival of the charred and decomposed bodies of seven martyrs to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza, after they were recovered from the area near the southern Gaza Valley.

The Palestinians are eagerly awaiting the release of more of their prisoners from Israeli jails, while it is also expected that the Al-Qassam Brigades will release a second batch of Israeli prisoners held by them.

Qatar, along with Egypt and the United States, was the main mediator in the ceasefire agreement, which stipulates the exchange of 50 Israeli prisoners held in Gaza for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Zionist occupation authorities have stated that they have received a list of detainees who will be able to leave Gaza on Saturday, but they have not specified the number or the expected time of their release.

Qatar is expected to announce today, Saturday, the number of prisoners from both sides who will be released during the day.

Hebrew media reports stated that Israel has received a list with the names of the detained prisoners who are scheduled to be released by Hamas in Gaza today, Saturday.

Israel released 39 Palestinians yesterday, Friday, including 15 children and 24 women, while the Al-Qassam Brigades released 24 detainees, including 13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and one Filipino.

The Al-Qassam Brigades had previously announced that they were holding around 200 prisoners, including senior officers, soldiers, settlers, and dual nationals, as part of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation on October 7th. Additionally, other factions are holding around 50 more prisoners, and it was announced that some of them were killed as a result of Israeli airstrikes.

On the other hand, according to the latest statistics from the "Palestinian Prisoners Club," the number of Palestinian detainees has reached over 7,000, including more than 200 children, 78 female prisoners, and hundreds of patients and injured individuals, some of whom require urgent medical intervention. Among these prisoners, over 3,000 Palestinians have been arrested by the occupying forces since the start of the war on the Gaza Strip on October 7th.

Yesterday, Friday, Palestinians rejoiced at the return of the released prisoners under the agreement. Celebrations took place in Beitunia near Ramallah and in Nablus, where large crowds welcomed the freed prisoners upon their arrival in Beitunia. The participants chanted slogans in support of resistance and Gaza, carrying and waving Palestinian flags and Hamas banners. Meanwhile, Israeli forces prohibited any celebrations in occupied Jerusalem.

Regarding the entry of aids, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated that 196 trucks loaded with humanitarian assistance, including food, water, and medical supplies, were delivered through the Rafah crossing yesterday, Friday. This is the largest aid convoy to Gaza since the start of the Israeli aggression on the Strip. They also added that approximately 1,759 trucks have entered the Gaza Strip since October 21st. (ILKHA)