Hamas to swap 20 captives for 2,000 detainees in deal’s first phase: Sources

Hamas has announced that it will exchange 20 living captives for nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees as part of the first phase of a deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza, a source within the group told AFP on Thursday.

The exchange is expected to take place within 72 hours of the agreement’s implementation. The deal includes the release of 250 Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment and 1,700 others arrested by 'Israel' since the genocide began on 7 October 2023, the source added.

The first phase of the ceasefire between 'Israel' and Hamas is scheduled to be signed on Thursday in Egypt at around 09:00 GMT, according to a source familiar with the agreement. Another source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the formal signing will occur around midday local time in Egypt.

The announcement follows US President Donald Trump’s confirmation that both parties have agreed to the initial phase of his peace plan, which aims to halt hostilities in Gaza and facilitate the release of captives.