Imminent Agreement: Prisoner Exchange and 5-Day Ceasefire

An agreement regarding the prisoners held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7 is nearing completion. An Israeli senior official revealed that Israel and Hamas are close to reaching an agreement that will be announced in the coming days, involving the release of prisoners from both sides, as well as a ceasefire lasting five days. The official, who requested anonymity, stated that "the outlines of the deal are clear," adding that the preliminary agreement stipulates the release of Israeli women and children in batches, alongside the release of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons. He also indicated that a temporary ceasefire, possibly for five days, would accompany the prisoner exchange, allowing for their safe transfer from Gaza into Israel and facilitating the delivery of international aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza, according to a column by David Ignatius in the Washington Post. He noted that a total of 240 to 250 prisoners are being held, most of whom are Israelis, but some hold dual citizenship from the U.S., Germany, and other countries, while there are 35 non-Israeli foreigners among them, mostly Thais working in Israel.