A man takes a picture of graffiti representing the reconstruction of Gaza, on a section of Israel's separation barrier, in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank on February 12, 2025. AFP
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it had received the names of three captives—Israeli-Russian Sasha Trupanov, Israeli-American Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Israeli-Argentinian Yair Horn—set to be released by Hamas at 9:30am Saturday.
In exchange, Israel will release 36 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 333 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza, Quds News Network reported, citing the Detainees’ Media Office.
"We are keen to implement it (the ceasefire) and oblige the occupation to fully abide by it," Hamas spokesman Abdel Latif al-Qanou said.
He added that mediators Egypt, Qatar, and the US were pressuring Israel "to resume the exchange process" and abide by the ceasefire terms.
As part of the 42-day first stage of the ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, which has been in effect since 19 January, Israel would allow the entry of aid, tents, and caravans/mobile homes to shelter displaced Palestinians and bulldozers to start removing debris and rubble left by 15 months of bombing in the strip.
However, Israel has blocked the entry of caravans and heavy equipment as stipulated in the deal.
Earlier this week, Hamas threatened to delay the release of Israeli captives, scheduled for Saturday, until Israel met the terms of the agreement.
The Palestinian group demanded that Israel allow the entry of tents and caravans to shelter displaced Palestinians, as well as bulldozers to clear debris and rubble in the strip.
Tens of caravans and bulldozers have waited since Thursday at the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza to enter the strip as per the agreement but were denied entry by Israel.
Tel Aviv reiterated on Thursday that it would continue blocking the entry of heavy machinery to the strip.
However, Egyptian and Qatari mediators said on Thursday that they resolved obstacles to keeping the prisoner swap on Saturday per the ceasefire schedule.
Ziad Halabi, director of the Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath office in Palestine, cited sources saying Israel would allow the entry of mobile homes, tents, and heavy machinery into Gaza after receiving the three captives set to be released on Saturday.
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