Report: Breakthrough in Hamas, Israel prisoner swap deal reached
Jerusalem reportedly agrees to release elderly, sick, women prisoners in first stage of deal
A significant breakthrough was made between Egyptian mediators and Hamas in regards to a prisoner swap deal with Israel, London-based outlet Al Araby Al Jadeed reported on Friday.
Anonymous Egyptian sources told the outlet that the breakthrough includes an agreement to release elderly, ill and women terrorists from Israeli penitentiaries in exchange for information about the condition of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip.
According to Al Araby Al Jadeed, the hold up in negotiations was over the dates and phases of conducting the prisoners release and Israel’s alleged willingness to execute them.
Talks on a possible swap deal have been going on for months. Gaza’s ruling faction Hamas reportedly holds captive two Israeli civilians, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, and the remains of two soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul.
On August 31, the terrorist group announced it had reached a ceasefire agreement with Israel via the Qatar envoy.
Prior to the truce, Hamas and Israel have exchanged frequent attacks on each other, with the Islamist group launching incendiary balloons and rockets at Israel’s south and the Jewish state retaliating against targets in the Palestinian enclave.
According to ceasefire terms, Hamas committed to suspending incendiary attacks launched from the Palestinian enclave toward Israel, as Jerusalem committed to reopen border crossings Kerem Shalom and Erez into Gaza and reopening the fishing zone for Gazan fishermen.