Israel and Hamas have recently come to an agreement on a hostage deal that could see the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. In exchange, at least 50 women and children held captive in Gaza will be released. This deal also includes the entry of aid relief, medical supplies, and fuel to all parts of Gaza.
Most of the Palestinian prisoners listed for possible release are male teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18, although some are as young as 14. Additionally, there are 33 women eligible for release. The charges against these prisoners range from throwing stones and harming regional security to supporting illegal terror organizations and possessing illegal weapons.
What’s concerning is that many of these individuals are held in “administrative detention” without knowledge of the charges against them or an ongoing legal process. The current number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails is approximately 8,300, including around 85 women and 350 children.
Following Hamas’ attacks on October 7, Israel has increased its arrests with over 2,000 documented in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem that month alone. However, this recent diplomatic breakthrough brings hope to both the families of Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages.
Hamas is currently holding 236 hostages in Gaza, including foreign nationals from 26 countries. Their attack on Israel on October 7 resulted in the tragic death of at least 1,200 people. This hostage deal could potentially alleviate some of the tensions between the two sides and restore a sense of peace and stability in the region.
