183 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in exchange for three Israelis
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Prisoner and captive exchanges are continuing in Palestine following the ceasefire in Gaza that went into effect in late January.
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Palestinian prisoners are released from Israeli occupation prisons as part of a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance, on February 1, 2025 (AFP)
The Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office announced that 183 Palestinian prisoners and detainees will be freed from Israeli occupation prisons tomorrow, Saturday, as part of the fifth round of the first phase of the prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.
The office explained that the Israeli occupation will release 18 prisoners with life sentences, 54 prisoners with long sentences, and 111 detainees from the Gaza Strip who were detained after October 7, 2023.
The Prisoners' Information Office also indicated that the announcement of the release of these prisoners came after the Palestinian Resistance handed over the names of the Israeli captives who will be released in this batch of exchange.
The military spokesperson for the al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced the names of the Israeli captives that the Brigades decided to release as per the deal in an X post.
The Israeli captives are: Eliyahu Datsun Yosef Sharabi, Or Avraham Lisha Levy, and Ohad Ben Ami.
Since the ceasefire came into effect on January 19, 2025, many Palestinian prisoners in the occupation prisons have been released, including those with long sentences and life sentences.
Meanwhile, regional analysts say Hamas has turned each round of captive releases in Gaza into a more complex event, using it as a display of power to humiliate the Israeli occupation.
Gallant admits 'Israel' used Hannibal Directive during war on Gaza
On Thursday, former Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant admitted that the Israeli occupation forces were ordered to implement the Hannibal Directive—a controversial protocol that involves killing captives along with their captors—during the war on Gaza.
Gallant also criticized former Police Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his provocative storming of al-Aqsa Mosque, stating that it "ignited the situation."
The Israeli military is facing a wave of resignations following its failures on October 7. Israeli Channel 13 described the situation as a "shockwave within the army."
"Israel’s" military chief, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, announced his resignation on January 21, citing accountability for the military's "failure" during the October 7, 2023, operation by the Palestinian Resistance.
In a resignation letter made public by the army, Halevi stated that he was stepping down "due to my acknowledgment of responsibility for the [military's] failure on October 7."
