According to the official Israeli radio, the government does not want to hold a meeting of the mini-cabinet to discuss the issue of prisoners’ exchange before receiving a response from the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Meanwhile, former Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, urged to expedite the exchange deal.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, as reported by the radio, fears that the disagreements may deepen and information about the position on the deal may leak out. Additionally, a senior political and security official was quoted by Channel 12 as saying that the decision regarding the prisoners’ exchange deal lies with the leaders of Hamas and the Qassam Brigades in the Gaza Strip.
Former Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, called for a single deal that includes all detainees still held in Gaza. He also urged officials to refrain from publicly criticizing Qatar, which is acting as a mediator for the agreement, and to act wisely.
In an interview with the Israeli Army Radio, Cohen stated that Qatar is the only country capable of mediating an exchange agreement at the present time, emphasizing that open criticism of Israeli officials towards Qatar is wrong.
The former Mossad chief explained that Israel will have to pay a heavy price to complete the exchange deal and added, “So let’s pay it today from the beginning (to release) everyone and shorten the duration of the hostages’ detention in Gaza.”
Numerous statements from Israeli officials reflect the extent of the division within the government and politicians regarding the anticipated exchange deal. Opposition leader, Yair Lapid, stated that the deal will be painful but the detainees must be released.
However, Minister of Heritage, Ayelet Shaked, hinted at the non-compulsory release of the detainees, stating that “Jewish ethics do not obligate us to release the kidnapped.”
Hamas leader, Osama Hamdan, announced yesterday that the movement has received a general framework for a potential deal with Israel, emphasizing that their decision is contingent upon achieving a ceasefire, withdrawing occupation forces, lifting the siege on Gaza, guaranteeing the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, and establishing their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.
Efforts and calls have intensified in the past few days to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, with cautious optimism towards reaching a prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel.
The Qatari mediation, with Egyptian and American support, had succeeded in reaching a temporary humanitarian ceasefire on November 24 last year, during which 240 Palestinian prisoners were released from occupation prisons in exchange for over 100 detainees held by the resistance in Gaza, including about 80 Israelis.
It’s notable that the assistance measures, and the system pages, are carried out in cooperation and constant consultation with the rest of the Palestinian forces, especially the field partners, and the arms comrades.
