Israel has acknowledged slight progress in discussions regarding a potential prisoner exchange, according to a report from Yisrael Hayom. However, the report notes that no significant breakthroughs have occurred thus far. Efforts are underway in Egypt and Qatar simultaneously to broker a deal, with Israel expressing hope that one of these avenues will prove successful. While the anticipated timeline for such an agreement is extended, the prospect of swifter progress exists if Hamas demonstrates increased flexibility.
The War Cabinet is scheduled to convene on Sunday to deliberate on the prospect of a prisoner swap and the considerations for “the day after” the conclusion of the ongoing conflict. As reported by Kan 11 News, the War Cabinet has authorized Mossad chief David Barnea to advance the Qatari proposal, which entails the release of numerous hostages in exchange for a substantial respite from the conflict, stopping short of a permanent ceasefire.
On Friday evening, Kan 11 News disclosed that Barnea, on Thursday, conveyed a message from Qatar to the War Cabinet, indicating that Hamas no longer insists on an immediate cessation of hostilities as a prerequisite for advancing negotiations on a new hostage release agreement.
Sources familiar with the discussions suggest a shift towards a humanitarian deal, although the associated costs for Israel, in terms of the duration of respite and the release of prisoners, are expected to be substantial.
Channel 12 News reported that the preliminary stages of the Qatari proposal involve the release of 40-50 hostages during the initial phase, coupled with a complete one-month ceasefire. The subsequent phase, although intricate with unclear details, is anticipated to involve arrangements for the IDF’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
An Egyptian proposal contemplates an initial stage where Israel halts hostilities for a minimum of two or three weeks, and Hamas releases 40 hostages in exchange for 120 individuals labeled as terrorists. The subsequent stage envisions the establishment of a professional government in the Gaza Strip comprising members from both Hamas and Fatah, along with the release of IDF soldiers’ bodies.
In the third stage, Israel would declare an end to the war, the IDF would exit the Gaza Strip, and the remaining hostages held by terror organizations would be released. A Hamas delegation was scheduled to arrive in Cairo on Friday to provide their “observations” on the Egyptian plan.
{Matzav.com Israel}
The hostages will be released when the “war” against the invisible enemy in the Gazan and Hezbollah tunnels will be destroyed. They need the hostages as an excuse to continue the “war”.