Israel, Hamas resume talks in completing prisoner exchange deal

Israeli media quoted Israeli security sources as saying that "negotiations have been resumed with Hamas to conclude a prisoner exchange deal."

The sources said, "The negotiation channel on this issue is another channel different from the negotiations on the truce."

This information indicates an evolution in the negotiations between the two parties, given that Israel worked to link the issue of the prisoner deal with the general calm in Gaza, while the Palestinian factions in Gaza refused to merge the prisoners' deal negotiations with the truce file.

The sources emphasized that: “Israeli Shin Bet leaders,” and in coordination with the responsible for prisoners and missing prisons' affairs in the office of the Israeli prime minister, “Yaron Blum,” held a series of meetings with a number of the most prominent leaders of Palestinian prisoners in prisons, especially Hamas prisoners, to advance these negotiations and put them on the right track.

And explained that Hamas demanded the release of prisoners are prominent leaders in the history of each of them a group of dangerous operations, such as Hassan Salama, who was sentenced to 48 life sentences for his role in killing 48 Israelis, and Jamal Abu al-Hija, who was sentenced to nine life sentences, and these demands are totally rejected by Israel.

According to the Israeli Kan channel, “the negotiations are ongoing still in the beginning,” but other sources said: “Israel sees ray of hope in it, and that is why the government decided, this week, to extend Blum’s term for an additional year, in order to pursue this issue.”

Concerning the truce issue: Israeli reports confirmed that contacts with Hamas and other Palestinian factions regarding calm are continuing in two mediation channels, one mediated by Egypt and the other mediated by Qatar, aiming to stabilize the truce agreement for a long period in exchange for a package of aid to Gaza.

According to the Hebrew Kan 11 channel: “The Israeli authorities are seeking to offer a small package of reductions in the first stage, including permitting the entry and exit of businessmen from the Strip, and allowing the entry of some prohibited goods into Gaza, in addition to the influx of millions of dollars from Doha, which You pay out 30 million in cash a month. "

And pointed out that “these negotiations and the facilities that you are talking about are not linked and are not conditional on the progress of the prisoner exchange negotiations, but rather on maintaining calm and stopping any military escalation in Gaza for a period of time that has not been specified nor discussed yet,” which may extend from weeks to months. If succeed, they will go to the second phase of the facilities, which include huge infrastructure projects and investments that provide job opportunities for an industrial zone and a gas station. "

T/S

ANHA