Rafah: Deployment of the Qassam Brigades was observed at the site designated for the handover of Zionist prisoners in Rafah, marking the preparations for the seventh exchange operation between Hamas and Israel.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the exchange is part of the first phase of a ceasefire agreement that began on January 19 and is set to conclude by March 1. Hamas has confirmed its commitment to releasing six Israeli hostages on Saturday, which are reportedly the last living prisoners to be handed over to Israel under the current phase of the agreement.

The Palestinian Prisoners Club has announced that 602 Palestinian detainees will be released in return. This includes 50 individuals who have been sentenced to life imprisonment. Additionally, 108 prisoners are scheduled for deportation outside the Palestinian territories as part of the agreement.

The handover process is slated to commence at 11 a.m., and since the beginning of the truce, Israel has received 22 prisoners, including three deceased, in return for the release of more than 1,100 Palestinian detainees. The ongoing first phase of the truce agreement requires Hamas to release a total of 33 hostages, including eight deceased, while Israel is obligated to release 1,900 Palestinian detainees from its prisons.