Hamas is working to send some high-level Palestinian prisoners freed in the Gaza ceasefire deal to other countries. Turkey and Egypt have agreed to accept some of the individuals, who were convicted of serious crimes by Israeli courts and ordered to be deported. Other countries remain hesitant.

The armed group’s prisoners media office announced on Tuesday that 15 prisoners had arrived in Turkey as part of the ceasefire agreement. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told reporters Tuesday that they had arrived in Turkey “a few days ago” after first going to Egypt.

Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage-release deal last month after mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar and Egypt. A total of 583 Palestinian prisoners have been released from Israeli detention so far in addition to 18 Israeli, Thai and other hostages from captivity in Gaza. Many of the freed prisoners have returned to the West Bank and Gaza, though some convicted of graver offenses are being sent abroad. Israel has said that anyone freed in the deal who was convicted of murder must be deported, according to reports. Many of the released prisoners had been detained in Gaza on suspicion of militancy yet had not faced trial in Israel. 

Nahed al-Fakhouri, an official with Hamas’ prisoners office, told Al Jazeera Arabic on Monday that 79 of the prisoners are currently in Egypt, some of which will remain there for the long term, and 15 other prisoners will arrive in Pakistan in the near future.