Tel Aviv, Israel – In a significant development, Israel has agreed to a US proposal for a prisoner-hostage exchange with Hamas. The agreement would see the release of around 700 Palestinian prisoners, including 100 serving life sentences for killing Israeli nationals, in exchange for 40 Israeli hostages. The deal was reported by CNN affiliate Kan News, citing a senior Israeli official.
The proposal, put forth by CIA Director Bill Burns and agreed upon by Israel, is currently under discussion between Hamas and Israel in Doha, Qatar. The delegations are awaiting a response from Hamas, with outstanding issues such as aid entry and Israeli military presence in Gaza still to be resolved.
Earlier reports indicated that Hamas demanded the release of 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, a demand that Israel initially rejected as “ridiculous” and “absurd.” However, Israel is now reportedly prepared to make “significant compromises” to bring the abducted individuals back home.
The agreement, if finalized, is expected to involve multiple phases, with Hamas proposing the release of female hostages, elderly, sick, and wounded individuals in the first stage. Mossad Director David Barnea and a high-level Israeli security delegation have visited Doha twice this week for discussions on the matter.
The situation remains fluid, with CNN reaching out to Israeli officials and Hamas for updates on the ongoing negotiations. The story continues to evolve, with additional developments expected in the coming days.