Hamas Delegation Set to Propose Prisoner Exchange in Egypt
Hamas and Israel Negotiate Prisoner Exchange and Ceasefire
Negotiations between Hamas and Israel are intensifying as a potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange offer is being discussed. A Palestinian official, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has revealed that the proposal includes a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip that would last for over a month and a prisoner exchange that would be carried out in three stages.
The first phase of the exchange would involve the release of approximately 30 Israelis held in the Gaza Strip. The second phase would include the exchange of Israeli male and female soldiers, while the third stage would involve the delivery of the bodies of Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza Strip.
The official explained that the number of Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons is not yet clear, but it is estimated that between 100 and 200 Palestinians could be released for each Israeli prisoner. According to the proposal, more Palestinians would be released in the second phase compared to the first phase, due to an exchange in which Israeli soldiers will be released.
The final number of Palestinians to be released through the prisoner exchange will be determined during talks in Cairo. Hamas is expected to convey its response to Egypt about the offer at the end of the negotiations, which are anticipated to conclude by the end of the week.
In addition to the prisoner exchange, a comprehensive ceasefire and the complete cessation of the war in Gaza are being discussed. One of the main points of contention is the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, which is considered crucial to reaching an agreement.
Hamas Political Bureau Head, Ismail Heniyye, announced that the organization has received an invitation to visit Cairo to discuss the “framework agreement” resulting from a meeting in Paris and its implementation. He emphasized that Hamas’s response to the proposal will be primarily based on halting the aggression against Gaza and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region.
Negotiations for the ceasefire and prisoner exchange have also involved other countries such as the United States and Qatar. Meetings were held in Paris with the participation of Israeli intelligence directors under the mediation of the US, Qatar, and Egypt. While some reports claimed that the materials leaked to the press were not true, the White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator, John Kirby, stated that concrete progress had been made, especially regarding the prisoner exchange.
The talks in Cairo and the continuous negotiations between the parties involved will determine the outcome of the potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange, which may bring a much-needed respite to the ongoing conflict.
