The “Israeli” justice ministry published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners, the majority women, who are to be freed starting Sunday as part of the first exchange for “Israeli” captives under a Gaza ceasefire deal.

 

"The release of prisoners is... subject to government approval of the (ceasefire) plan and will not take place before Sunday 16:00 (1400 GMT)," the ministry said in a statement on Friday.

 

“Israel's” security cabinet approved the deal, while the full cabinet will convene to vote on it later on Friday.

 

The list includes 69 women, 16 men and 10 minors.

 

According to the ministry, the youngest inmate on the list is 16.

 

The list includes only seven prisoners who were arrested before October 7, 2023.

 

According to the office of “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the release of captives as part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between “Israel” and Hamas is expected to begin Sunday.

 

Two sources close to Hamas told AFP that the first group of captives to be released consists of three “Israeli” women soldiers.

 

Justice ministry spokesperson Noga Katz said the final number of prisoners to be released in the first swap would depend on the number of live captives released by Hamas

 

“Israel's” far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called on political allies to vote against the Gaza deal, stating it would see the release of several Palestinians "serving life sentences" for allegedly killing “Israelis”.