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Israel to release 1,890 Palestinian prisoners, retains right to return to war in Gaza

CGTN

Fireworks amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Bureij, Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025. /CFP
Fireworks amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Bureij, Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025. /CFP

Fireworks amid the rubble of destroyed buildings at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Bureij, Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025. /CFP

Egypt announced on Saturday that Israel will free more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Hamas releasing 33 Israeli detainees during the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

The agreement, reached through Egyptian mediation with regional and international partners, is scheduled to commence at 8:30 a.m. local time (0630 GMT) on Sunday, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

During the first phase of the ceasefire, spanning 42 days, Hamas will release 33 Israeli detainees in exchange for Israel releasing more than 1,890 Palestinian prisoners, the ministry said.

It emphasized the commitment of the mediators to ensure the full and timely implementation of the agreement in all its three stages.

Egypt expressed hope that the ceasefire agreement will mark the beginning of a path towards alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people, calling upon the international community, particularly the United States, to support and consolidate the agreement and the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.

Furthermore, Egypt urged the international community to provide all necessary humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people and to develop an urgent plan for the reconstruction of Gaza.

Egypt stressed the importance of accelerating the development of a roadmap to rebuild trust between the two sides, facilitate a return to the negotiating table and address the Palestinian cause within the framework of the two-state solution, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.

This solution aims to establish an independent Palestinian state on the lines of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the statement.

Egypt, in coordination with Qatar and the United States, will establish a joint operations room headquartered in Egypt, the statement said, adding that this room will be responsible for monitoring the exchange of detainees and prisoners, the entry of humanitarian aid, and the movement of individuals after the reopening of the Rafah crossing.

Israel and Hamas agreed on a Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal after intensive mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

Since October 7, 2023, Hamas and Israel have been engaged in a fierce conflict that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza and caused unprecedented destruction. The conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostage.

Palestinians in displacement camps in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025. /CFP
Palestinians in displacement camps in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025. /CFP

Palestinians in displacement camps in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 18, 2025. /CFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday evening that "if we have to return to war, we will do so in new ways and with great force."

In a video statement on the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, Netanyahu noted that both outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have given full backing to Israel's right to return to fighting if negotiations on the second phase of the agreement are "futile."

Netanyahu noted that in a conversation with him on Wednesday evening, Trump emphasized that the first phase of the agreement is a temporary ceasefire.

Netanyahu stated that Israel will maintain the Philadelphi Corridor along the Egypt-Gaza borders, adding, "Not only will we not reduce the forces there, we will even increase them a little." He noted that Israeli forces will be deployed inside the Gaza Strip and will close it off from all sides.

"We will not allow weapons to be smuggled in, nor allow our hostages to be smuggled out," Netanyahu said.

He added that most of the 33 Israeli hostages, who are due to be released starting Sunday in the first phase of the agreement, are alive.

(With input from Xinhua)

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