Arab official says ‘minor’ issues still being finalized, but aren’t significant enough to delay deal

There are several “minor” issues regarding the ceasefire and hostage release deal that will be finalized after the agreement begins to be implemented, a senior Arab official tells The Times of Israel.

Those issues include Israel finishing the vetting of the roughly 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners who are slated to be released. These are largely Gazans who have been detained by Israel since the war began, the Arab official from one of the mediating countries says.

The number of Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences who will be released as part of the deal has also not been finalized, though it is just about done, the official continues.

Hamas has agreed that those serving life sentences will be released to an agreed-upon third country, but Israel is also asking that a number of other prisoners being released be sent abroad as well, the Arab official familiar with the negotiations says, adding that this issue will also be finalized in the coming days.

The mediators determined that these issues are not significant enough to warrant a delay in announcing the deal and beginning its implementation.

The first day of the agreement is slated to take place on Sunday, during which three Israeli hostages will be released, the Arab official says.