The Israeli Channel 12 revealed details of a possible swap deal between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the anticipated deal would not come at any cost and stated that he has red lines.
The channel reported that Mossad Chief David Barnea presented a “principles document” for the deal to the Israeli War Cabinet. The document outlined the first stage, which includes the release of 35 Israeli detainees in Gaza, including women, the wounded, and the elderly, in exchange for a 35-day ceasefire. It also mentioned the possibility of extending the ceasefire for an additional week to negotiate the release of young detainees and individuals described by Hamas as soldiers in the second stage.
The Israeli Channel noted that the main disagreement from the Israeli side is not necessarily in the number of Palestinian security prisoners that Israel will have to release, but in their quality. It highlighted that a deal involving the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners convicted by Israel for involvement in attacks that resulted in the killing of Israelis would be difficult for the public and politicians to digest.
According to the channel, the ball is now in Hamas’ court as the main mediators have conveyed the main outlines of the deal to them and are awaiting their response.
On another note, Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth” reported that Hamas insists on including three well-known Palestinian prisoners in the upcoming deal. This includes one member affiliated with the movement, Marwan al-Barghouti, who is considered a leading candidate for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority after Mahmoud Abbas, according to the latest opinion poll conducted in the West Bank.
The article also highlighted Ahmad Sa’adat, the General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Abdullah Barghouti, a Hamas member and a leader of the movement’s military wing in the West Bank, as the two other demanded prisoners.
Regarding Netanyahu’s position, the Israeli Prime Minister stated that efforts are ongoing to reach a new prisoner swap deal but emphasized that it will not come at any cost. He mentioned his “red lines” which include not stopping the war, not withdrawing troops from Gaza, and not releasing thousands of Palestinian prisoners.
In response to Netanyahu’s stance, an informed Israeli official expressed concerns that Netanyahu’s recent statements might push Hamas to sabotage the deal. The official, quoted by “Haaretz” newspaper, stated that there are fears that encouraging Hamas to adopt a hardline position could lead to the failure of the negotiations.
It is estimated that Israel currently holds around 136 Israeli prisoners in Gaza, while it detains at least 8,800 Palestinians in its prisons, according to official sources from both sides.
