Türkiye to host Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel as part of Gaza deal

Türkiye to host Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel as part of Gaza deal

ANKARA
Türkiye to host Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel as part of Gaza deal

Türkiye will host 15 Palestinians who were forced to live outside the Palestinian territories after being released from an Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, Turkish security sources said on Feb. 4.

Israel requested that Palestinians convicted of the most serious crimes, including the perpetrators of deadly attacks, not be sent to Gaza or the occupied West Bank following their release. Egypt has authorized the temporary admission of 70 prisoners who are currently in Cairo.

The Turkish intelligence organization acted swiftly to facilitate the arrival of 15 displaced Palestinians through Egypt as efforts were made to provide them with a secure life in Türkiye, according to the sources.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan instructed the country's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) to facilitate safe travel for the Palestinians and provide them with a secure life in Türkiye, the sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The Hamas prisoners media office said that the hostages arrived in Türkiye on Feb. 4.

Israel has committed to releasing 1,904 prisoners, including 737 serving life sentences, in return for 33 women, children, men over 50 and those considered especially ill, during the ceasefire deal’s 42-day first phase. Seven Israeli hostages have already been released, in return for 290 Palestinian prisoners, including 121 serving life sentences.

Israel will send a delegation to Doha this week for talks on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Feb. 4.

"Israel is preparing for the working-level delegation to leave for Doha at the end of this week in order to discuss technical details related to the continued implementation of the agreement," the office said in a statement following meetings in Washington between Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump's advisers.

Palestine,