In a significant move towards peace in the ongoing Gaza conflict, Israel has confirmed that 737 prisoners and detainees will be freed in the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire. This deal, approved by Israel’s cabinet on Saturday, marks a pivotal moment in the region’s tense situation. The release includes men, women, and children, and is set to occur on Sunday at 4:00 PM local time.

Among those freed are some notable figures, including Zakaria Zubeidi, a high-ranking member of the armed wing of the Palestinian Fatah Party, and Khalida Jarar, a prominent Palestinian lawmaker associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The release aims to facilitate peace talks and further build on the ceasefire agreement that is currently in place.

The initial phase of the deal also includes the release of hostages, with three Israeli women soldiers named in the first wave of releases. The hostages’ identities were initially unclear, but sources have confirmed that they were not in military service during the recent attack that ignited the conflict. The release is contingent on the number of live hostages freed by Hamas, as both sides negotiate their terms.

This development is part of an ongoing effort to de-escalate the violence and move toward a longer-lasting peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.