Hamas to release next four captives on Saturday as Gaza ceasefire persists

CAIRO – 22 January 2025: Hamas has announced that it will release another four captives from Gaza on Saturday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.

In a statement on Telegram, Hamas confirmed, “The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) affirms that the second batch of the prisoner exchange will take place as scheduled on Saturday, January 25, 2025.”

This follows a previous exchange last Sunday, when Hamas and Israel swapped three Israeli captives for 90 Palestinian prisoners on the first day of a ceasefire facilitated by mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US to end over 15 months of Israeli aggression in Gaza.

The three female captives released—24-year-old Romi Gonen, 28-year-old Emily Damari, and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher—were reunited with their families after being captured by Hamas during the movement’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Breaking| First batch of Palestinian prisoners released as part of the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

90 Palestinian prisoners were announced to be released, al Qahera news channel reported.

Number of the released prisoners have arrived their homes, including Khalida Jarrar, Nawal… pic.twitter.com/zWS7zMZBPX

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) January 20, 2025

The three-phased ceasefire includes the release of more than 90 captives still held by Hamas, a third of whom are presumed dead.

The coming weeks is set to witness the release of 30 Israeli captives under the initial phase, which spans 42 days. In return, Israel is set to release 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.

Under the agreement, hundreds of truckloads of humanitarian aid and fuel are being delivered daily to Gaza, including the north, which is on the brink of famine.

The first phase also involves the withdrawal and redeployment of Israeli forces from densely populated areas, the exchange of prisoners and detainees, and the return of the remains of the deceased.

During this phase, internally displaced Palestinians have begun returning to their homes, despite the majority being uninhabitable especially in the north. Arrangements are also being made for the sick and wounded to be transferred to Egypt for treatment.

Additionally, the first phase aims to rehabilitate hospitals, health centers, and bakeries, as well as provide essential supplies, fuel, and shelter for those displaced by the conflict.

Abu Ubaida confirms Palestinian factions’ commitment to the Ceasefire agreement

The spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Ubaida said that the movement made every effort to preserve the lives of prisoners held in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023.
He added in a speech,… pic.twitter.com/B5nbeDSM7P

— Egypt Today Magazine (@EgyptTodayMag) January 19, 2025

Discussions regarding the implementation of the second phase of the agreement are set to begin on the 16th day of the first phase.

This stage is expected to encompass the release of all remaining captives, the establishment of a lasting ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The third phase will focus on recovering all remaining deceased individuals and initiating reconstruction efforts in Gaza, with oversight from Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.

This phased agreement seeks to end the tragedy in Gaza, which has resulted in over 47,000 fatalities and more than 111,000 injuries since the conflict began.