The issue of Israeli prisoners held in the Gaza Strip is among the most significant issues of the conflict instigated by the Israeli occupation. One of the primary objectives of the Israeli warfare, ongoing for over 100 days, revolves around the liberation of these detainees.
Despite differing perspectives between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, negotiations have remained at a standstill even after temporary ceasefires of a week were established at the end of November.
In a report prepared by Suhaib Al-Asa on the occasion of one hundred days since the war on Gaza, an analysis was provided on the characteristics of the Israeli prisoners’ dossier. This is the first instance in which such a number of prisoners have been held for this duration. Since the “Aqsa Flood” operation on October 7th, above 240 Israelis and foreigners, including settlers from the Gaza envelope area, have been detained.
During the seven days of the humanitarian truce between Hamas and Israel, the resistance released 105 civilians out of those detained, in exchange for dozens of Palestinian women and children, among them 81 Israelis, 23 Thais, and one Filipino.
However, the truce collapsed and the exchange ceased after Israel’s insistence on the release of more women, while Hamas contended that the remaining women were enlisted, offering to release bodies, which were rejected by the occupation forces.
Death of Prisoners
Following the resurgence of combat in early December, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, stated that Israeli shelling resulted in the death of tens of Israeli captives.
The Israeli army announced its ability to recover several bodies but also admitted to killing three detainees who were soldiers that had raised white flags in Shuja’iyya, east of Gaza.
According to the Israeli army, 136 Israeli detainees remain in Gaza. This number closely matches the number declared by the Palestinian resistance.
Yet, the nature and categories of these detainees — whether they are bodies, soldiers, female soldiers, or reserve forces — remain subjects of debate, discussion, and future negotiations. Each category dictates a different method of negotiation for an exchange with different kinds of Palestinian prisoners.
In this context, the Palestinian resistance factions insist on an all-for-all exchange, but Israel has announced its rejection and decided to continue fighting until it finds its detainees, of whom none have been found alive after 100 days of captivity.
Hamas states that the exchange file has been permanently closed until a full cessation of combat.
