Watan-According to the American website Axios, citing sources described as knowledgeable about the negotiations, Yahya al-Sinwar, the head of Hamas in Gaza, has resumed negotiations regarding the ‘prisoners’ deal.’ The report indicates that if an agreement is reached, it will be implemented in two stages.
The American site quoted three sources familiar with the exchange deal negotiations, stating that negotiations have resumed to reach an agreement for the release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza, showing modest progress.
A potential deal that is set to be implemented in two stages
The sources confirmed that Yahya al-Sinwar has returned to negotiations and sent a new response to Qatari mediators. They noted some narrowing of gaps between the two parties, although not sufficient for a full agreement.
The report revealed that the details of the deal have not been fully determined yet, and there are daily changes. If an agreement is reached, it will be implemented in two stages.
In the first stage, Hamas will release approximately 50 women and children in exchange for a five-day ceasefire, according to Axios sources.
With the ceasefire continuing for five days, Hamas will seek to release more women and children held as hostages by other factions, leading to their release in a second stage.
Yahya al-Sinwar is demanding the release of all Palestinian women and children prisoners in Israeli jails.
The American website also noted that ‘Hamas demands the entry of 400 trucks daily through the Rafah crossing, as well as the provision of fuel to hospitals and bakeries, in addition to other humanitarian goods.
According to the report, the head of Hamas in Gaza has tentatively agreed to increase the number of women and children to be released under the two-stage agreement to more than the originally agreed-upon fifty.
Al-Sinwar is demanding that Israel cease its aerial surveillance of Gaza for six hours daily during the ceasefire period. This would allow Hamas activists to pinpoint the location of hostages without Israeli surveillance.
One source told Axios that Israel not only wants a general agreement for the release of more hostages by Hamas but also wants to know the specific number of hostages to be released in the second stage.
The Israeli offensive on Gaza continues for the 44th day, with the occupying army reporting an increase in its casualties to 7 officers and soldiers today.
Palestinian media reported a retreat of Israeli tanks in some areas of Gaza and its north amid intense clashes with the Al-Qassam Brigades.
The brutal Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in 12,300 Palestinian martyrs so far, including 5,000 children and 3,300 women. Additionally, over 30,000 people have been injured, with 75% of them being children and women.