GAZA – Israel informed Qatari mediators late on Friday that it completely rejects the recent prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, which includes the release of 50 Israeli detainees held in Gaza in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners.
اضافة اعلان
According to Russia Today and Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth Israel insists on not separating the detained families and demands the release of all mothers and children held together.
The occupation expressed its willingness to be flexible regarding the expected ceasefire duration to facilitate the release of more prisoners. Israeli representatives stated that an agreement to release between 70 to 80 detainees is still open for discussion.
This follows reports that a deal between Israel and Hamas is imminent, involving a 3-day ceasefire, the entry of aid, and the release of 50 Hamas prisoners in exchange for 50 women and children Palestinians in Israeli prisons.
The decision to reject the current proposal was made during a meeting of the Israeli Security Cabinet on Friday night.
Israel's National Security Council Chief, Tzachi Hanegbi, stated that Tel Aviv will not agree to a ceasefire without a "mass release" of detainees held by Hamas. The Qatari mediators and Hamas leaders have not been in contact since yesterday, after the Hamas leaders cut off communication with Qatar following the Israeli operation at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, stated that there is no room for negotiations with Israel as long as its army targets hospitals.
Brett McGurk, the US envoy for hostage affairs, is expected to arrive in Qatar today, Saturday, to discuss the prisoner exchange deal. The White House announced that President Biden raised the "urgent need" to release all detainees held by Hamas in a phone call with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Friday.
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