On Saturday 18 January 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Justice published a list of 735 Palestinian prisoners to be released in the first phase of the prisoner swap deal in exchange for the release of the first batch of Israeli prisoners.

As part of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the government approves the release of 737 male and female prisoners and detainees held by the Prison Service,’ said a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Justice.

The Israeli justice ministry said the Palestinian prisoners would not be released before 4pm on Sunday, the day the exchange is due to begin.

The list includes members of Hamas, Jihad and Fatah, some of whom are serving life sentences.