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A convoy holding 25 Egyptian prisoners departed Israel’s Ella Prison on Thursday, as the prisoner exchange deal set to release suspected Israeli spy Ilan Grapel after four months of captivity was set into motion.
The nine Israel Prison Service vehicles are planned to hand over the Egyptian prisoners through the Taba border crossing near Eilat at around 5 P.M. later today.
Most of the prisoners to be released are Sinai Bedouin jailed for smuggling drugs or weapons. None were killers; three are minors.
Three of the prisoners have already completed their sentences. Another five were due to be freed by the end of the year, one as early as next week.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s special envoy, Isaac Molho, and MK Yisrael Hasson (Kadima), who conducted the negotiations for Grapel, are to fly to Cairo today at 3:30 P.M., together with Grapel’s mother, who arrived in Israel on Wendesday.
The three will pick up Grapel and within less than an hour fly back to Ben-Gurion Airport, where Grapel will be shepherded through the VIP lane.
The media will not be allowed to photograph Grapel’s arrival in Israel or speak to him; the only pictures to be distributed will be those taken by the Government Press Office.
Once Grapel is en route to Israel, the Egyptian prisoners will be freed at the Taba border crossing.