Watan-Hamas and Islamic Jihad have specified their positions regarding any potential deal with the Israeli occupation concerning the exchange of prisoners and detainees.
Hamas stated in a release that there is no talk of any prisoner exchange without the cessation of the war waged by the Israeli occupation forces on the Gaza Strip.
The statement added, ‘In the face of the torrent of bloodshed, sacrifices, and resilience demonstrated by our Palestinian people, it is imperative to halt the aggression first and foremost. Temporary and partial truces are now behind us.
Islamic Jihad’s stance” or “Position of Islamic Jihad
In turn, the Islamic Jihad Movement stated through its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhala: “There will be no deals for the exchange of prisoners or otherwise between us and the enemy unless the Israeli aggression on Gaza is halted.”
Al-Nakhala added, “No prisoner exchange deals without a complete withdrawal of enemy forces from the Gaza Strip,” affirming that there is no value to any other discussions unless these conditions are met.
The statements from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad came in response to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claimed that “the deal involving Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip will be implemented.
Important Meeting for the Israeli Security Cabinet
In a related context, the Israeli Security Cabinet is scheduled to convene later on Sunday to discuss a new deal for the exchange of prisoners with Palestinian resistance groups.
According to Al Jazeera, the Security Cabinet will explore ideas related to exchanging Israeli detainees in the Gaza Strip with Palestinian prisoners held by the Israeli authorities.
The report suggests cautious optimism based on information from informed sources cited by Israeli media, even though the Palestinian resistance insists on a complete ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces beyond the security fence, a demand rejected by Israel.
It is noted that the current proposal involves a phased deal under the same previous Israeli conditions.
Israeli Channel 12 had previously reported that the Security Cabinet discussed a Qatari proposal for a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel on Thursday.
According to the proposal, 40 to 50 Israeli prisoners would be released in exchange for a month-long ceasefire.
The channel mentioned a second phase that appears more complicated, with details yet to be revealed, but it is estimated to include an invitation to settle Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.