Jerusalem: Israel is preparing to release 183 Palestinian prisoners today, as announced by the Palestinian Prisoners’ Affairs Authority and the Prisoners’ Club. This release marks the fifth batch of the first phase in the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the named detainees include 111 individuals from Gaza who were detained after October 7, 2023. In a related development, the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, declared that they would release three Israeli prisoners today. Abu Obeida, the Spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, identified the Israeli prisoners as Eliyahu Datsun Yousef Sharabi, Or Abraham Lisha Levi, and Ohad Ben Ami. Hamas sources noted that two of these prisoners are elderly, and the third is among the wounded and sick.

The prisoner exchange is taking place amidst significant international efforts to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and to establish a lasting ceasefire. Hamas sources have also disclosed that the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released includes 18 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment, 54 prisoners with long-term sentences, and the 111 prisoners from Gaza.

Meanwhile, “Haaretz” reported that an Israeli source claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not advance to the second phase of the Gaza agreement while Hamas remains in the area. The source indicated that Netanyahu, under current conditions, would neither withdraw Israeli forces from the Philadelphi Corridor nor continue with the current ceasefire procedures. There is speculation that Netanyahu may either return to military action or extend the first phase of the ceasefire deal.