Attention turns to the Gaza Strip today as a new round of prisoner exchange is anticipated under the ceasefire agreement with Israel, now in its third day.

Israeli and Palestinian sources expect the operation to begin at 8:00 AM local time (6:00 GMT) in two consecutive rounds, the second at 9:00 AM, with full release to be completed by 12:00 noon according to the agreement terms, reported by Israel’s Channel 12.

The process will be carried out in four consecutive stages agreed upon by both sides under international supervision. The first stage involves Hamas handing over the prisoners to Red Cross convoys consisting of about nine vehicles, including a small bus and ambulances, at three different points within the Gaza Strip: Gaza City, Khan Younis, and the central camps.

The second stage sees the Red Cross transporting the prisoners to a special Israeli army unit inside the Strip, preparing them for official return to Israel under strict security arrangements.

The third stage includes transferring the prisoners after crossing the border to a reception site at the “Re’im” military base, where they undergo initial medical examinations and meet their family representatives in a secure, closed environment.

In the fourth stage, the released prisoners are flown by helicopter to Sheba, Ichilov, and Beilinson hospitals for comprehensive medical checks and reunification with their extended families under the supervision of specialized medical teams.

Meanwhile, Israeli military sources confirmed the army will receive the remains of several deceased during the operation, which will be transferred to the forensic institute for identification.

Hamas indicated that recovering all bodies will take time, while Israel emphasized continuing efforts to retrieve all dead and missing persons, involving a special international team tasked with locating graves and verifying identities.

In exchange for 20 living Israeli hostages, Israel is expected to release 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment and 1,700 detainees in Gaza following the October 2023 war.