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183 Palestinian prisoners released in exchange for 3 Israeli hostages


A prisoner exchange took place between Israel and Hamas, resulting in the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages.

GAZA: A prisoner exchange took place between Israel and Hamas, resulting in the release of 183 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for three Israeli hostages.

The exchange was part of a larger agreement reached on January 15, 2025, which came into effect on January 19. The deal was facilitated by mediators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar

It was initially accepted by Hamas in May 2024 but subsequent disagreements delayed the finalisation by several months.

Read more: Trump envoy, Steve Witkoff’s remarks may be closest admission of Israel’s atrocities

The agreement outlines a multi-stage process that includes a six-week ceasefire, the release of hostages and a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

Reports indicate that seven of the released Palestinian prisoners were hospitalised due to poor health conditions, raising concerns about the treatment of detainees in Israeli prisons.

One released prisoner described the conditions as akin to those at Guantanamo Bay, shedding light on the conditions faced by innocent incarcerated Palestinians.

Following the exchange, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a team to Doha to engage in further negotiations with Hamas.

The Palestinian prisoners-Israeli hostages exchange has been accompanied by violence, as six people were reported killed and two injured in an Israeli drone strike in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media.

Meanwhile, the United States State Department approved a substantial arms package worth $6.75 billion to Israel. The approval of military aid under Donald Trump has complicated the tense situation in Middle East, with the current US president even recognising Jerusalem as Israeli capital during his first tenure, and imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrant against Netanyahu for war crimes he committed in Gaza.

In the meantime, the Arab League expressed its intention to convene a conference on Palestine, particularly in light of recent comments made by Donald Trump regarding occupation of Gaza.

In a move that shocked US’ western allies as well, Trump proposed what amounts to ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza, insisting the neighbouring Arab countries take in 2.3 million Gazan population while the businessman-turned-politician ‘gentrified’ the Israel-airstrikes decimated enclave.

Read more: Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades to release 3 Israeli hostages

Morocco and Iraq directly condemned Trump’s outrageous proposal, calling for the need for a unified Arab response in the face of an occupying force backed by the militarily strongest country in world.

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