The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirmed that the second batch of prisoner exchange with Israel will take place on the scheduled date next Saturday, according to the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Meanwhile, the Washington Post quoted a senior Israeli official as saying that Tel Aviv agreed to release prisoners on Saturdays, "and this must be adhered to."

Media reports earlier on Monday said Hamas would release the next group of detainees in Gaza on Sunday, a day later than expected under a ceasefire agreement reached this month with Israel.

This comes amidst what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged - in a video message of thanks to US President Donald Trump - to "return the remaining hostages... and ensure that Gaza will never again pose a threat to Israel."

The American website Axios quoted the Israeli ambassador in Washington as saying that the Trump team obtained "concessions" from Israel to complete the deal, "and gave us things and will give more."

He stressed that "Trump's team played a major role in the Gaza negotiations and was determined to complete the deal."

Trump's leadership

In turn, Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy to the Middle East, said in a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the new US president that Trump's policies have already achieved notable successes, such as the release of prisoners in Gaza, stressing that the agreement that was reached is "an achievement that demonstrates the strength of Trump's leadership and the respect he enjoys globally."

"Real progress requires tough conversations and bold decisions," he added.

feeling shocked

On the third day of the ceasefire agreement, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted Israeli officials as saying that they were "shocked when they saw the hostages (the three who were released on the first day of the agreement) walking out into a crowd with Hamas fighters in central Gaza."

The officials added that they "will inform the mediators that the scene of the hostages being released in the manner in which it was carried out is unacceptable."

Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that 915 aid trucks entered the Gaza Strip on Monday, the second day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

The office quoted in its statement information it received from the Israeli authorities and the guarantors of the ceasefire agreement.

The first stage

It is noteworthy that the ceasefire agreement entered into force last Sunday morning, and its first phase will end within 42 days, during which 33 Israeli detainees are supposed to be released in exchange for 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. It is accompanied by a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

On the seventh day of the agreement, the occupation forces will withdraw from Rashid Street eastward to Salah al-Din Street, and operations will begin to dismantle all sites in this area, so that the displaced can begin to return to their residential areas, while ensuring freedom of movement for residents throughout the sector.

Vehicles will also be allowed to return north of the Netzarim axis after being inspected by a private company determined by mediators with the Israeli side, based on an agreed-upon mechanism.

On the 22nd day of the implementation of the agreement, the Israeli occupation forces will withdraw from the center of the Strip, especially from the “Netzarim Axis” and the “Kuwait Roundabout,” to an area close to the border, and the military installations will be completely dismantled, with the continued return of the displaced to their places of residence, and the residents will be granted freedom of movement in all areas of the Strip.

With American support, Israel has committed genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 157,000 Palestinian martyrs and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing, amid massive destruction and famine that killed dozens of children and the elderly, in one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.