Israeli reports claim deal for prisoner swap, Gaza cease-fire with Hamas both drawing near: Media
Israeli officials report progress toward deal with Hamas involving release of prisoners, cease-fire in Gaza
By Abdelraouf Arnaout
JERUSALEM (AA) - Israeli media Monday reported growing claims that an agreement with Hamas for a prisoner swap and the end of the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza are both drawing near.
Israeli sources cited by Channel 12 said: “Details of the deal for releasing hostages have been agreed upon, and now we await Hamas' final response.”
As of 1100GMT, Hamas had not commented on the reports, but the group typically reiterates its demands for the cessation of the genocide and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The channel also said the proposed agreement closely resembles a plan outlined by Israel's Security Cabinet last May.
The deal would be carried out in stages: the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli captives, humanitarian aid to Gaza, the return of displaced people to northern Gaza, the start of reconstruction, and the reopening of border crossings.
The agreement also envisions Israeli withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza and the dismantling of Israeli military sites, with mechanisms to prevent armed Palestinian fighters from returning to northern Gaza.
However, the document reportedly does not mention the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates Gaza from Egypt, or whether Israel will withdraw from it.
Another media outlet reported that Israel and Hamas are approaching an agreement for a potential cease-fire in Gaza, which would include the release of 33 Israeli captives in a “first phase” that could last up to 42 days.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the first phase would allow the release of 33 Israeli prisoners, including a gradual Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, except for an unspecified security perimeter.
Sources said: “On day 16 of the cease-fire, negotiations will begin for subsequent phases of the prisoner exchange, aimed at releasing all captives and addressing further Israeli military withdrawals.”
The newspaper added: "The timeline for the signing of the cease-fire agreement remains uncertain, with some sources suggesting it could take hours or days, while others fear it could collapse.”
Sources indicated that if the deal succeeds, the first captives could be released relatively quickly, though it is unclear when exactly this would happen.
On the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza, sources indicated conflicting messages, with some soldiers expected to remain during the first phase, but not in subsequent phases when Israeli forces would only be stationed in a broader security perimeter. The security perimeter would extend across all of Gaza, not just northern Gaza.
The sources also claimed that former Israeli prisoner Yusuf Al-Zayadna, whose body was retrieved by the Israeli army last Tuesday, was among the 34 prisoners initially under negotiation for release. The number has since dropped to 33.
Diplomatic sources said long-serving Palestinian prisoners in Israel would not be released to the West Bank, though their destination remains uncertain.
On the Netzarim Corridor, which now splits the Gaza Strip in two, sources suggested that Israeli forces would generally withdraw, though unspecified security arrangements would be made for Palestinians returning to northern Gaza.
Cautious progress
On Monday, Israeli Army Radio reported that an Israeli source involved in negotiations in Doha said: “There is cautious progress. It seems the direction is positive, and we are awaiting Hamas’ response.”
For over a year, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed alleged progress toward an agreement, only to retreat and intensify the genocide and displacement of Palestinians.
Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told radio station 94 FM on Monday: “All signs indicate a significant opportunity for securing a deal for the release of the captives.”
Retired Israeli Maj. Gen. Gershon Hacohen added: “It is clear that there is a need for an agreement, and it is clear that the price will be high, and we must accept that.”
Netanyahu’s political moves
On Monday, news website Ynet reported that Israel's negotiating team, including Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, and Israeli military representative Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon, is in Qatar. The negotiations involve US special envoys Brett McGurk and Steve Witkoff.
On Sunday, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority Kan reported that Netanyahu had met with Cabinet ministers, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Israeli opposition parties and the families of Israeli captives have accused Netanyahu of obstructing the agreement to maintain his position, as extremist officials, including Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, threaten to withdraw from the government if it agrees to end the genocide.
In fact, Smotrich announced on Monday via X that he opposes a prisoner swap deal with Hamas and called for opening “the gates of hell” on Gaza.
Several Israeli officials have indicated a majority within the government in favor of passing a deal if one is reached. The opposition has also expressed intentions to vote in favor of such an agreement in the Knesset.
Opposition Knesset member Yoav Segalovitz from the There Is a Future Party criticized Netanyahu, stating: "He has not held any meetings (with the opposition) about this topic, nor has he spoken with opposition leader Yair Lapid. Netanyahu is only interested in his own political survival.”
Red Cross role
According to Maariv daily on Monday, negotiations are ongoing in Doha, with both sides expressing readiness to move toward an agreement despite existing gaps.
The International Red Cross is expected to meet with Israeli officials to discuss its potential role in facilitating the prisoner exchange. The Red Cross is ready to act as a neutral mediator to assist in the release and return of hostages if an agreement is signed, according to the report.
Hamas has stated its willingness to reach an agreement since the first prisoner swap in late November 2023 and agreed to a proposal President Joe Biden announced in May 2024.
But Netanyahu backed away from the proposal, introducing new conditions, including continuation of the genocide and no withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas, on the other hand, insists on a complete end to the war and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Israel currently holds more than 10,300 Palestinian prisoners, while it is estimated that 99 Israelis are detained in Gaza. Hamas said that many Israeli captives have been killed in indiscriminate Israeli airstrikes.
The prisoner swap and cease-fire talks, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, have been interrupted several times due to new conditions imposed by Netanyahu.
The Israeli opposition and families of captives accuse Netanyahu of obstructing efforts to reach a Gaza cease-fire and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.
The Israeli army has continued a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed nearly 46,600 people, most of them women and children, since Oct. 7, 2023, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
*Writing by Mohammad Sio
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