Jerusalem: The Israeli Justice Ministry announced on Saturday that 737 prisoners and detainees will be released as part of the initial phase of a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement with Hamas. The decision was officially approved by the Israeli government, ending uncertainty over whether the truce would take effect this weekend.

According to the ministry's statement, the prisoners—including men, women, and children—will not be released before Sunday at 4:00 pm local time (1400 GMT). Among those listed are Zakaria Zubeidi, a prominent member of Fatah’s armed wing, and Khalida Jarar, a leftist Palestinian lawmaker from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Both are widely recognized figures within the Palestinian community.

Zubeidi gained notoriety for escaping Israel’s Gilboa prison in 2021, while Jarar, a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, has been arrested and detained by Israeli authorities on multiple occasions. Israel considers the PFLP a "terrorist organization," a designation also upheld by the United States and the European Union.

Meanwhile, the first group of hostages expected to be released by Hamas reportedly includes three Israeli women. Sources close to Hamas indicated these women were soldiers; however, Hamas broadly categorizes Israelis of military age who have completed mandatory service as soldiers, potentially including civilians taken during the October conflict.

The truce agreement, brokered after extensive negotiations, marks a significant development in efforts to de-escalate the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The final number of prisoners freed will depend on the number of hostages released by Hamas, according to Israeli officials.