Meshaal updates Egyptian intelligence chief on prisoner exchange deal

The political leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement has met with the Director of the Egyptian intelligence services to discuss the implementation of the prisoner exchange deal with Israel which was brokered by Egypt. Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal thanked Murad Muwafi for Egypt’s support for the Palestinians and its role in brokering the deal which will see more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli jails, including all the women currently being held.

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“We thank our sister country Egypt,” Mr. Meshaal told reporters, “and its General Intelligence Service for standing by us through difficult and painstaking negotiations.” Egypt, he said, had carried out a national duty that Palestinians cherish and are grateful for. “By the grace of God the Egyptians’ efforts bore fruit by completing a deal that represents a historic achievement for the resistance and the Palestinian people.”

On Tuesday, Meshaal said that the deal, mediated by the Egyptians and Germans, was struck after “fierce” negotiations with the Israelis. In a televised speech, Meshaal said, “The exchange deal will be in two phases: the first will include the release of 450 prisoners within a week, while the second phase will be the implementation of the deal in two months’ time and will see the release of 550 prisoners.”

Source: Cairo Jerusalem Press Service