Hamas proposes new prisoner swap deal, extension of humanitarian pause: Israeli media

By Zein Khalil

TEL AVIV, Israel (AA) - The Palestinian group Hamas has proposed a new deal for a prisoner swap which has four stages, the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) said late Wednesday.

It said Hamas has called for the release of elderly Israeli hostages in Gaza in the initial stage, men in the second stage, female conscripts in the third stage and soldiers in the final stage.

The agreement involves the release of 10 Israeli hostages in Gaza for each day of a new humanitarian pause and the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel who were convicted of carrying out operations resulting in the killing of Israelis.

The IBA, however, quoted an unnamed Israeli official who said Tel Aviv responded, demanding that “Hamas must first release 21 women and four children still held by them before discussing the new agreement.”

Hamas denies having additional women after an expected release of a batch of hostages late Wednesday, according to IBA.

As of 1840 GMT, neither Hamas nor mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US had commented on the report.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala