Images of Hamas hostages (Reuters)
As negotiations continue for the release of prisoners held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7, a high-level Israeli delegation has arrived in Cairo on a private plane to discuss the swap deal.
Israeli media reported that there are advanced negotiations to complete a prisoner exchange deal for a large number, excluding Israeli soldiers.
He also said that under the agreement that will be concluded, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners and agree to bring fuel.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that Hamas is demanding fuel, long periods of ceasefire and the release of security prisoners.
Through Qatari-Egyptian mediation
Indirect negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, are taking place between Hamas and Israel to release only civilian prisoners, including women and children.
Israel had previously required the number to be relatively large to agree on a truce of a few days (two or three days).
While information from Al Arabiya/Al Hadath reports that the number could be as high as 100, including children and women, compared to a similar number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
As for the captured soldiers and officers, they are not included in these negotiations at the moment.
Protesters carry with them photos of hostages held by Hamas – AFP
240 prisoners
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, have held 240 prisoners, both Israeli and foreign, according to Israeli authorities, since October 7, when the movement launched a surprise attack on military bases and settlements in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people, according to the latest Israeli army toll.
While the mediations have so far managed to free only 4 hostages: two Americans on October 20th and two Israelis on the 23rd of the same month.
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