Exchange, Ceasefire Won't Be Before Friday

Israeli officials said Wednesday night that they don't expect the exchange with Hamas of prisoners and hostages, as well as the accompanying ceasefire, to take place until at least Friday. Negotiators were still working on details of the agreement, the New York Times reports. The exchange had been projected to begin Thursday. Among the sticking points is the number of hostages being held in Gaza; Israel and Hamas disagree on the figure. Israel on Wednesday released a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners who could be released, per the Washington Post.

The candidates all were categorized as "security prisoners." That means they were arrested on politically motivated offenses, including supporting terrorism, committing violence, and throwing stones. Several are charged with attempted murder. Most have not been convicted of the charges they're being held on. The list has 32 women and girls on it and 267 males ages 14 to 18, per the Times. None of the cases was brought since Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel, when the group took 240 hostages. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.)