The hostage/prisoner swap scheduled for today proceeded as expected. Hamas released six hostages, two of whom had been held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, in return for Israel releasing 620 Palestinians from Israeli jails. The Palestinians released include 60 serving long sentences, 50 serving life sentences and 47 re-arrested after a 2011 exchange for captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, reported the Times of Israel. Over 100 will be deported upon their release.
Today’s exchange is the last in phase one of the ceasefire agreement, which began on Jan. 19, involving live hostages. Middle East Eye notes that the second and third phases are contingent on the completion of the current one. However, Israel has delayed talks for the second phase, which was scheduled to begin on Feb. 3, leaving the future of the ceasefire uncertain.
