Representatives of Israel and Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, reported Reuters. The agreement will come into effect after ratification by the Israeli government, the meeting has been rescheduled to 20:00. According to Israeli media, Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Israel.
The ceasefire is expected to come into effect within 24 hours after its ratification. Then, according to the agreement, the release of the last Israeli hostages will follow - within 72 hours. As reported by the Jerusalem Post, this process may be completed by October 13.
According to Reuters, Hamas is seeking the release of well-known Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, but the final list for the exchange has not yet been compiled. Israel has not agreed to release some Palestinian leaders and militants. For example, among the released Palestinian prisoners will not be one of Palestine's most notorious terrorists, Fatah field commander Marwan Barghouti, the Israeli government stated. He participated in two intifadas against Israel and in 2004 received five life sentences.
It is expected that 1,950 Palestinians will be released from Israeli prisons, among them 250 sentenced to life terms.
A joint task force of Israel, Qatar, the USA, and Egypt will also be created to search for the bodies of deceased hostages. As reported by the Jerusalem Post, operatives will demolish and dismantle buildings in the Gaza Strip for this purpose.
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