Gaza ceasefire, prisoner exchange to take place today
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the prisoner exchange, lasting 42 days, comes into effect at 8:30 a.m. local time.
On Sunday, three Israeli prisoners held in Gaza will be exchanged for about 90 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.
The Gaza government announced on Saturday the completion of a "comprehensive plan" to address the ceasefire agreement between Palestinian factions and Israel. The plan aims to ensure a gradual return to normal life in the strip and includes urgent measures on the ground, such as securing affected areas and providing humanitarian aid to residents.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared that the Palestinian government is ready to assume its responsibilities in Gaza and stressed the need for Israel to completely withdraw from the strip, reports AA.
The International Committee of the Red Cross also announced on Saturday its readiness to facilitate a "precise operation" for the exchange of prisoners and hostages between Palestinian factions and Israel, along with intensifying humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza.
On the same day, the Israeli military warned Gaza residents not to move between the northern and southern parts of the strip or approach military zones on the eve of the prisoner exchange and ceasefire agreement.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on Saturday the formation of a joint operations room, based in Egypt, to monitor prisoner exchanges, the entry of humanitarian aid and the movement of individuals following the reopening of the Rafah border crossing on Gaza's border with Egypt.
