Watan-The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation “Kan” stated on Monday that Israel has accepted the conditions set by the Hamas movement for a prisoner release deal and is awaiting the movement’s response. This marks a new victory for Palestinian resistance, which has asserted its stance on the ground and through indirect negotiations, leading to Israeli concessions in both cases.
Senior American and Israeli officials had previously indicated that Israel and Hamas were on the verge of reaching an agreement for the release of hostages. This would be in exchange for the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners and a temporary cessation of the ongoing war since October 7th of last year.
The Netanyahu government has given the green light for the implementation of the prisoner exchange deal
According to Channel “Kan,” as reported by Anadolu Agency, the Israeli Security and Political Cabinet (Cabinet) has given political approval for a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, including a humanitarian truce and the release of children and women from both sides.
The report indicates that the deal involves the release of 50 detainees held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of Palestinian women detainees in Israel. Additionally, a five-day ceasefire is part of the agreement.
President Joe Biden stated that he believes an agreement for the release of some prisoners held by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Gaza is imminent, without providing further details.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed that Washington believes an agreement for the release of prisoners is “imminent.”
On the other hand, Israel Today reported, citing officials, that the deal is not as close as it was yesterday. There will be a meeting tonight with the War Cabinet and representatives of the families. If there are any updates, the families will be informed first.
A five-day ceasefire has been declared
Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the deal, the Islamic Jihad Movement announced that its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, discussed the developments and negotiations related to the prisoner exchange deal with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau.
The Washington Post reported that Israel, the United States, and Hamas reached a preliminary agreement to release dozens of “hostages” in exchange for a five-day ceasefire.
In this context, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, stated on Sunday that the agreement for the exchange deal between Israel and Hamas is “imminent.”
Hamas is reportedly seeking the release of several Israeli prisoners, including those with foreign nationalities, in exchange for a ceasefire lasting several days, as well as the entry of fuel and food into Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.