Relatives of a Palestinian prisoner stare at the Ofer military prison complex, located between Ramallah and Beitunia in the occupied West Bank. AFP
US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday announced that Israeli captives could be released from Gaza "any moment now."
"It really should be any moment now," the vice president told NBC News' "Meet the Press" when asked about the timing for the release of the captives by Hamas.
Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported on Saturday evening that Israelis are expected to be released from Gaza on Monday morning as part of the ongoing exchange process. Citing unnamed sources, the broadcaster said the Israeli army has placed special units on high alert in Gaza in anticipation of a possible early release.
Earlier on Saturday, several Palestinians detainees reportedly contacted their families in the West Bank, expressing joy over their expected release on Monday, according to the Palestinian daily Al-Quds and videos circulating online.
Under the agreement, Israel is set to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, along with about 1,700 captives kidnapped from Gaza after 7 October 2023.
The ceasefire between Hamas and Israel took effect at noon on Friday, Jerusalem time (09:00 GMT).
Israeli occupation authorities estimate that 48 Israeli captives remain in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.
Meanwhile, more than 11,100 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons, where human rights groups report harsh conditions, including torture, starvation, and medical neglect, conditions that have led to several deaths.
On Friday, the Israeli Ministry of Justice published a list of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences who are set to be freed under the ceasefire deal. However, the Shin Bet intelligence agency reportedly opposed the release of 25 senior prisoners.
The Prisoners’ Media Office said no final agreement on the release lists has yet been reached.
*This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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