ICRC to handle Israeli-Palestinian prisoner-captive swap
2 Min Read
The ICRC will be in charge of handling the prisoner swap deal between Hamas and the Israeli occupation in the wake of the ceasefire.
-
A Red Cross vehicle carrying Israeli captives drives by at the Gaza Strip crossing into Egypt in Rafah on Nov. 25, 2023 (AP)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Saturday its readiness to manage all logistical and operational aspects of the exchange of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners under the terms of the newly agreed ceasefire between the Israeli occupation and Hamas.
"We are prepared to carry out all the necessary aspects of this operation and implement the agreement between the parties, which will lead to the reunification of families throughout Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza," an ICRC spokesperson stated.
The organization is gearing up for a large-scale operation that includes extensive transportation logistics, increasing staff levels, and the distribution of emergency supplies.
Preparations also involve training medical personnel to care for the released individuals and ensuring meticulous security arrangements for the process, the spokesperson added.
Prisoner exchange details revealed
The ceasefire agreement in Gaza, signed in Doha last night between Hamas and "Israel", is set to take effect as planned on Sunday, with no delays expected despite the timing of Israeli government meetings, according to Israeli media.
A statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that "the deal can proceed according to the planned mechanism on Sunday, pending cabinet approval."
Mediators announced the agreement on Wednesday, with implementation scheduled for Sunday at 12:15 pm local time.
Israeli Channel 12 reported that the first phase of the prisoner exchange, which is expected to include the release of three Israeli women, is set to take place at 4:00 pm on the same day.
Finalized terms of the prisoner exchange
Israeli media unveiled details of the finalized prisoner exchange agreement between "Israel" and Hamas. The deal reportedly includes the release of Palestinian detainees with heavy sentences in exchange for sick and wounded Israeli captives in Gaza.
The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the agreement was reached after hours of negotiations in Doha, which included disputes over detainee lists.
For the finalized terms, read: Israeli media reveal prisoner exchange details: Phase one Sunday 4 pm
