Hamas expected to swap 20 living captives for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel

Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire aimed at ending Israel's genocide that has killed tens of thousands, razed the Palestinian territory and unleashed a major humanitarian crisis.

The deal, to be signed on Thursday, includes the release of Israeli captives and Palestinian prisoners as well as a surge of aid into besieged Gaza after more than two years of genocide.

Palestinian resistance group Hamas would release all captives while Israel would pull its troops back to an agreed-upon line, US President Donald Trump said after talks in Egypt on his 20-point peace plan resulted in a deal.

Hamas will exchange 20 living captives for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first phase of a deal, a source within the resistance group told the AFP news agency.

The exchange will take place within 72 hours of the implementation of the agreement, which is expected to be signed on Thursday, the source familiar with the negotiations said.

The captives will be released in exchange for 250 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and 1,700 others abducted by Israel including children and women since the genocide began, the source added.

For every Israeli captive whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Palestinians from Gaza, according to Trump's plan.

A statement from the Palestinian resistance group on Telegram indicated they've "submitted lists of Palestinian prisoners" to Israel, adhering to the truce agreement's criteria.

Hamas said it is "awaiting final agreement on the names" before it publicly announces them.

Hamas confirmed it had reached an agreement to end the genocide, saying the deal includes an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave and a hostage-prisoner exchange. But the group called on Trump and guarantor states to ensure Israel fully implements the ceasefire, it added in a statement.

Hamas said earlier on Wednesday that it had handed over its lists of the captives it held and the Palestinian prisoners held by Israel that it wanted to be exchanged.

The list of Palestinians Hamas wants freed was expected to include some of the most prominent prisoners ever abducted and jailed by Israel, whose release had been off limits in previous ceasefires.

According to a Palestinian source close to the talks, the list includes Marwan al-Barghouti, a leader of the Fatah movement, and Ahmed Saadat, head of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Both are serving multiple life sentences.

'Sacrifices of our people will not be in vain'

Meanwhile, Hamas hailed the efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye as well as US aimed at ending Israel's genocide in Gaza.

"We highly appreciate the efforts of our brothers and mediators in Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye, and we also value the efforts of US President Donald Trump aimed at ending the war completely and achieving a full withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip," Hamas said in a statement.

Hamas urged President Trump, guarantor states, and all relevant parties to ensure that Israel fully adheres to its obligations under the agreement.

"We salute our great people in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem and the West Bank, and throughout our homeland and the diaspora, who have demonstrated unparalleled honor, courage, and heroism — confronting the fascist occupation projects that targeted them and their national rights. These sacrifices and steadfast positions have thwarted the Israeli occupation’s schemes of subjugation and displacement.

"We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain, and that we will remain true to our pledge — never abandoning our people’s national rights until freedom, independence, and self-determination are achieved," the statement added.

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Source: TRT