Jerusalem, Hamas is reportedly seeking the release of high-level prisoners incarcerated for terrorist attacks
According to sources quoted by Arabic-speaking media, Israel and Hamas are on the verge of reaching an agreement regarding a prisoner exchange.
The Palestinians are expected to hand over a recording revealing the condition of two Israeli captives, Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who are believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza, British media outlet Al-Arab reported on Saturday.
Israel seeks the return of those two hostages, as well as the remains of two Israeli soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, who were killed in 2014.
Additionally, an upcoming late November visit by Egypt’s intelligence head Abbas Kamel is connected to the progress of the negotiations, sources quoted by Al-Arab and the British newspaper Al-Araby al-Jadeed indicated.
“The deal’s steps and the full picture are ready and just awaiting the Israeli green light,” a source told Al-Araby al-Jadeed.
Individuals familiar with the situation explained that previously negotiations stalled due to low ranking members of Hamas’s Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades inability to communicate with the faction’s leaders.
However, the issue was resolved after a top Hamas military delegate met with the Egyptian mediators.
A number of Palestinian inmates are expected to be released, as was the case with past prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas is reportedly seeking the release of high-level prisoners incarcerated for terrorist attacks, a stipulation which Israel is less likely to agree to.
Source- i24news
