Report: Israel May Release 3,000 Terrorists In Hostage Deal

Kadoura Fares, leader of the Palestinian Prisoner Club, shared with the Ma’an news agency that a deal is in the works to release 3,000 terrorists in exchange for the remaining 98 hostages held in Gaza. He explained that the first stage of the arrangement would see the release of 25 hostages, traded for 48 terrorists previously freed in the Shalit deal, who had been re-arrested for resuming terrorist activities. In addition, 200 individuals who had been given life sentences would also be included in this exchange.

Fares further explained that this initial phase would involve the release of roughly 1,000 additional terrorists, including those who are ill, female, or underage. He clarified that the total number of terrorists to be freed would amount to about 3,000. The large number is part of Israel’s efforts to secure the release of all hostages, including IDF soldiers kidnapped on October 7, 2023. Hamas, however, has demanded a significantly higher price for the soldiers.

Fares also noted that while most of the freed terrorists will return to their homes, those who have been sentenced for the most severe crimes will be sent to countries like Qatar, Turkey, or Egypt for deportation.

On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu confirmed that Mossad Chief David Barnea, accompanied by a senior delegation, would travel to Qatar to further the negotiations surrounding the ceasefire and prisoner swap deal with Hamas. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the Prime Minister held a strategic meeting to review the situation with regard to the hostages and missing persons. The meeting included Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, top security officials, and American negotiators from both the current and incoming administrations.

Following this meeting, the Prime Minister instructed Mossad Director Barnea, ISA Director, Major General (Res) Nitzan Alon, and Foreign Policy Adviser Dr. Ophir Falk to head to Doha. Their mission will be to continue pushing forward the negotiations aimed at securing the release of the Israeli hostages.

{Matzav.com Israel}