The exchange was secured after mediators helped avert a collapse of the ceasefire; Germany’s chancellor has blasted J.D.

In return, Israel is expected to free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The exchange would extend a fragile cease-fire that appeared on the brink of collapse earlier this week.

The transfer of Palestinians has been proposed before. Dr. Yoav Gelber delves into the historical and current options.

Palestinian militants handed three Israeli hostages over to the Red Cross on Saturday, while buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners rolled out of two Israeli jails in the latest exchange under an ...