Pakistan has agreed to host 15 Palestinian prisoners released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, according to a Hamas spokesman. The announcement made Monday described Pakistan as an “older brother” for his willingness to support the Palestinian case.
The fluid’s truce, which ended 15 months of war, began on January 15 and includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
The deal also saw Hamas agree to release 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children and men over the age of 50, while Israel committed to releasing 30 Palestinian prisoners for any civil hostage and 50 for every Israeli female soldier released by Hamas.
Dr. Khaled Qaddoumi, a spokesman for Hamas, confirmed that Israel had already released nearly 180 Palestinians, some of whom have settled in Egypt, while several Muslim countries, including Pakistan, have expressed the will to host published prisoners, Arab News reported.
“We have officially received confirmation that Pakistan has agreed to receive 15 prisoners. For this we are deeply grateful to the Pakistani government, the Pakistani people and the Pakistani establishment,” Dr. Qaddoumi.
The government has not yet officially commented on its agreement to host the prisoners, but the move follows Pakistan’s long -standing support for Palestine.
The development follows reports from Quds Press, which stated that 99 Palestinian prisoners had been deported to Egypt, with 263 more expected to be released at the end of the first phase of the release process.
The second phase of the agreement will include the release of the remaining Israeli hostages and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
Since the beginning of Israeli’s military offensive in Gaza in October 2023, Pakistan has provided humanitarian assistance and launched a public donation fund to support the war -earned population of Gaza.
“We continue to maintain our commitment to Palestine, and we thank the Pakistani people and leadership for their ongoing support,” added Dr. Qaddoumi.
The conflict has led to devastating loss of life, with more than 47,000 Palestinians reported killed and widespread destruction in Gaza, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.
