GAZA: A senior Israeli official has indicated progress in the negotiations for a significant prisoner swap deal between Hamas and Israel.
According to Jordan News Agency, This development, however, does not yet involve soldiers, and the deal is still in the negotiation phase.
The official, speaking on Saturday to Israeli Channel 13, stated that the proposed deal would involve the release of dozens of prisoners from Gaza. In return, Israel would release female prisoners and minors from Israeli prisons and allow fuel into Gaza. Political sources quoted by the channel suggest that Israel is aiming for a comprehensive deal involving the release of many prisoners, countering earlier reports of smaller-scale negotiations. The sources also mentioned that recent ground invasion maneuvers by the Israeli army in Gaza have increased pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government to reach an agreement.