Hamas: Israel to free 183 Palestinian security prisoners in exchange for release of 3 hostages tomorrow

The Hamas prisoners’ media office says Israel is expected to free 183 Palestinians in exchange for the release of three hostages, including 18 who have been serving life sentences, 54 serving long sentences and 111 who were detained in the Gaza Strip during the war.

Earlier the Palestinian terror group accused Israel of breaching their ceasefire accord and held off announcing the names of the three Israelis until a 4 p.m. deadline had passed.

It is not immediately clear whether the delay will affect the timing of the scheduled exchange.

Hamas accused Israel of delaying the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying food and other humanitarian supplies agreed under the truce deal that took effect on January 19, and holding back all but a fraction of the tents and mobile homes needed to provide shelter to people returning to their bombed-out homes.

“This demonstrates clear manipulation of relief and shelter priorities,” Hamas claims in a statement.

COGAT, the Defense Ministry body that is overseeing the aid deliveries into Gaza, denied the accusation and warned that Israel will “not tolerate violations by Hamas.”

In total, Israel has said it will release up to 1,904 Palestinian prisoners — including 737 serving life terms for dozens of murders — in return for 33 Israeli hostages during the first phase of the ceasefire deal with Hamas.