Overview of the deal
Efforts to end the Gaza conflict have produced a framework for an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the cabinet approved the outline of a plan advanced by the United States, with a target to begin releasing hostages and Palestinian prisoners within a 72-hour window after military redeployment. The agreement centers on a sequence: first, hostage releases from Gaza, followed by prisoner releases. International intermediaries and the Red Cross are expected to oversee and facilitate the process to ensure safety and proper transfer of individuals.
What the exchange plan specifies
The protocol reportedly envisions the following key points. Within 72 hours of Israeli forces redeploying, 48 hostages would be released from the Gaza Strip and handed over to Israeli security forces. Of these 48, at least 20 are known to be alive. Some families and observers expect the recovery of remains in addition to living captives, though Hamas has indicated that locating all burial sites may take longer than the 72-hour window.
Following the hostage releases, Israel would free a broader group of Palestinian detainees: 250 convicted or suspected in security-related offenses, and 1,700 adults plus 22 minors detained in Gaza during the war. Also included are the bodies of 360 armed fighters, to be authenticated and handled as part of the exchange. The plan aims to return roughly 1,950 Palestinian prisoners to Gaza, with additional conditions governing the movement of individuals who have killed Israelis.
The role of the International Committee of the Red Cross
The ICRC has a central coordinating role in such exchanges. In previous ceasefires, the organization helped manage the transfer of hostages and prisoners and ensured humanitarian standards were maintained. The ICRC states that, once agreement terms are reached, its staff will facilitate safe handovers from Gaza to agreed locations and supervise the process as it unfolds. Spokespersons cautioned that the 72-hour deadline makes the operation unusually complex, given the scale and speed involved.
Timeline and operational challenges
Officials indicated that the 72-hour countdown begins once both sides redeploy and the international framework is in place. The reality on the ground—movement restrictions, security concerns, and coordination among multiple parties—adds layers of difficulty. Humanitarian actors, including the Red Cross, emphasize that the operation must be conducted with precision to protect lives and minimize risks for hostages, prisoners, and those aiding in the process.
Notable prisoners and list discrepancies
Hamas reportedly sought the freedom of several prominent Palestinian prisoners. A list circulated by Israeli sources did not include high-profile figures such as Marwan Barghouti, Ahmad Sa’adat, Ibrahim Hamed, or Hassan Salameh. It did, however, mention other figures such as Ra’ad Sheikh, a former Palestinian police officer involved in incidents in Ramallah, and Iyad Abu al-Rub, a commander from Islamic Jihad in Jenin. The absence of certain top names from the list has sparked speculation about who ultimately will be released and how the selection criteria are applied.
What remains unknown and questions for families
Many details remain undisclosed, including the precise timing and locations of transfers, the method for verifying identities, and the post-release arrangements for those released into Gaza or abroad. The involvement of international observers is intended to provide transparency, but the logistics—matching dozens of individuals across borders within days—will test the limits of existing frameworks. Families of hostages and prisoners are watching closely for signs that the plan will respect safety, due process, and dignified treatment.
Why this matters for the region
If implemented, the exchange could represent a significant, though fragile, step toward addressing long-standing grievances and reducing immediate hostilities. With the Red Cross and international partners overseeing proceedings, the plan also signals a renewed emphasis on humanitarian channels in a deeply divided conflict. The coming days will test whether such a framework can hold under pressure and whether both sides can sustain momentum toward longer-term peace efforts.
