Why it matters:
The prisoner swap is part of a broader strategy to address prisoner releases in the region, highlighting the delicate balance of political and humanitarian concerns.
The big picture:
The two Captives Avera Mengistu and Tal Shoham have been handed over to the Red Cross. They are heading now to the Israeli military base in Gaza. The captives will undergo medical examinations before being reunited with their families.
Key points:
- Red Cross officials oversaw the exchange, with four ICRC vehicles arriving at the site.
- 4 other Israeli captives will be released in return for 602 Palestinian prisoners.
- The exchange occurred in Rafah, southern Gaza, with four ICRC vehicles facilitating the process.
- Troops and intelligence officers are currently escorting the first two to Israel, where they will undergo an initial medical evaluation, a military statement said.
- The second handover is slated to occur soon in Nuseirat, central Gaza.
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