Israel to release 602 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for six captives

Israel will release 602 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for six Israeli captives, who are set to return to Israel, according to the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs.

Hamas said the list includes 50 prisoners serving life sentences, 60 serving long-term sentences and 47 prisoners who were re-arrested after being released in the 2011 exchange for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, in addition to 445 detainees arrested in Gaza during the war.

Earlier, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it had received a list of six captives who will be released on Saturday by Hamas.

Hamas has named the six Israeli captives as Eliya Cohen, Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Hisham al-Sayed and Avera Mengistu.