Hamas has handed Egypt a list of the names of the sick and elderly Israeli prisoners and detainees that it will release in the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, as well as the names of a number of Palestinian prisoners held by the occupation state that the resistance wants to see released as part of the deal, Al-Araby TV has reported. The TV station quoted “private” sources.
According to Israeli broadcaster Kan 11, an unnamed official said that, “There is progress in the negotiations of the prisoner exchange deal, which depends on Hamas agreeing to engage in the negotiations.”
The Israeli cabinet is said to be planning to convene later this week to discuss the proposed ceasefire in Gaza.
The sources quoted by Al-Araby TV said that, “An understanding has been reached regarding the points and locations from which Israel will withdraw during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. One week after the ceasefire begins, the detainees will be released and there will be a withdrawal from the agreed areas. Israel will withdraw from the Rafah crossing in the first phase and some locations in the Salah Al-Din axis.”
The same sources indicated that Cairo will hand over the list of detainees and discuss the withdrawal points within the next two days to an Israeli delegation which is scheduled to arrive in Cairo very soon to discuss some of the proposed items for a ceasefire agreement. The duration of the agreement is set to serve as a transitional period, during which the path towards a permanent ceasefire and an end to the war could be agreed.
READ: Several killed as Israel army intensifies attacks in northern Gaza