Israel Releases 737 Prisoners Under Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Israel's Justice Ministry has announced the release of 737 Palestinian prisoners as part of a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement with Hamas, set to begin on Sunday. This agreement, approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, aims to facilitate the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages for Palestinian detainees, including women and minors. High-profile individuals such as Zakaria Zubeidi and Khalida Jarar are among those to be released, with the latter being a prominent leftist lawmaker. The deal is seen as a significant step towards ending the prolonged conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in extensive casualties and humanitarian crises. Despite support for the agreement, it has faced opposition from hardline elements within the Israeli government. The initial phase of the ceasefire is expected to also allow for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.