Israel releases 183 Palestinians: 4th round of prisoner exchange completed

Compiled by: Suat TEKİN - 12punto.com.tr

The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, handed over US-Israeli dual citizen Keith Siegel and 2 other captives to Red Cross officials. In exchange for the release of the captives, Israel ended the imprisonment of 183 Palestinians. The 4th round of the prisoner exchange concluded with the mutual release of individuals agreed upon by both sides under the ceasefire agreement signed on January 19.

Siegel's release was part of the 4th hostage exchange carried out under the ceasefire agreement that began on January 19.

As reported by Al Jazeera, Israel handed over 183 Palestinians to the Red Cross after receiving the 3 released hostages. The Palestinians released from Israeli prisons were put on buses and sent to Ramallah, the border region between Gaza and Egypt.

The released Siegel was handed over to Red Cross officials on a stage set up at the Port of Gaza. After being given a certificate and a gift bag during the handover, Siegel then set off in a Red Cross vehicle to return to Israel. Hamas and Red Cross officials signed the documents regarding the prisoner handover.

Earlier today, Hamas also released two Israeli civilians, Ofer Calderon and Yarden Bibas, in the city of Khan Yunis. Thus, Hamas has released a total of 3 captives today.

Israel, in return for the released hostages, handed over 183 Palestinians it was holding through the Red Cross. Among the released Palestinian prisoners are 18 who were sentenced to life imprisonment, 54 who were serving long-term sentences, and 111 who were arrested after the war that began in Gaza on October 7, 2023.

CEASEFIRE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS

The ongoing exchange process between Israel and Hamas is being conducted within the framework of the ceasefire agreement that began on January 19. In the first exchange, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas released 3 Israeli captives. In the second exchange, 200 Palestinians were released in return for 4 Israeli captives, and in the third exchange, Hamas released 8 captives while Israel returned 110 Palestinians.

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza went into effect on Sunday, January 19, at 12:15 PM (Turkey time). In the first 42 days of the three-phase ceasefire agreement, 33 Israeli captives and over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners will be released.

In the first 3 rounds of the prisoner exchange, a total of 400 Palestinian prisoners regained their freedom, while 10 Israeli and 5 Thai captives in Gaza were released.

News Source: 12punto