Egypt-Mediated Ceasefire Begins: Major Prisoner Exchange Between Israel and Hamas

In a significant development towards peace, Egypt announced that Israel will release over 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the liberation of 33 Israeli detainees. This prisoner swap marks the first phase of a 42-day ceasefire agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Gaza region.

The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt with support from regional and international partners including Qatar and the United States, is set to commence at 8:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

During this initial phase, Hamas is agreeing to release 33 Israeli detainees, while Israel commits to freeing more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners. The Egyptian ministry emphasized the dedication of the mediators to ensure the comprehensive and timely implementation of the agreement across all three stages.

Egypt expressed optimism that this ceasefire will pave the way towards alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. The country called on the international community, especially the United States, to support and solidify the agreement and work towards establishing a permanent ceasefire.

Additionally, Egypt urged the global community to provide essential humanitarian aid to Palestinians and to formulate an urgent reconstruction plan for Gaza. The ministry highlighted the necessity of accelerating efforts to rebuild trust between the parties, facilitate renewed negotiations, and address the Palestinian cause within the framework of a two-state solution based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In coordination with Qatar and the United States, Egypt will set up a joint operations room to oversee the exchange of detainees and prisoners, manage the entry of humanitarian aid, and regulate the movement of individuals following the reopening of the Rafah crossing.

Since the outbreak of conflict on October 7, 2023, between Hamas and Israel, over 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza have lost their lives amid widespread destruction. The conflict triggered by Hamas's surprise attack resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 Israelis and the capture of over 250 hostages.