Who are the terrorists being released in exchange for the hostages?

A Palestinian prisoner makes a V sign as he arrives back in the West Bank on October 13, 2025 (Image: YouTube/SkyNews)[Missing Credit]

They include Iyad Abu al-Rub, a PIJ commander who orchestrated a series of suicide bombings between 2003 and 2005 and Hamas officer Mahmoud Qawasmeh, who was captured during fighting in Gaza last year.

Others named for release are Morad Adais, convicted of stabbing mother-of-six Dafna Meir in 2016, and Hilmi Hammash, who orchestrated the 2004 Jerusalem bus bombing.

Of the 250, 15 will return to East Jerusalem under police escort, 100 will go to the West Bank and 135 will either be sent to Gaza or deported abroad.

However, Israel has denied a Hamas request for the release of Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, seen by many as a potential future Palestinian leader, who was imprisoned over several murders during the Second Intifada between 2004 and 2005.

Negotiators also secured last-minute changes to the list, replacing 11 prisoners affiliated with Fatah, the main faction in the Palestinian Authority, with nine linked to Hamas.

A further 360 bodies of deceased terrorists will also be returned to Gaza and the West Bank, though Israel has refused to release the remains of either Yahya or Mohammed Sinwar, brothers and former Hamas leaders who masterminded the October 7 attacks.

The Israeli Defence Ministry has confirmed it is “coordinating and overseeing the activity between the various bodies” involved in the releases.