WE ARE CLOSER THAN EVER TO PRISONER SWAP DEAL, SAYS ISRAELI DEFENCE MINISTER

Tue 17 December 2024:

Israel and Hamas were closer than ever to concluding a prisoner swap and ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said yesterday.

Speaking during a closed meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, Katz said the proposed deal will be implemented in stages, adding that “there will be an overwhelming majority for the deal that is currently on the table. It’s best not to talk about this.”

The Israeli broadcast service KAN quoted sources familiar with the talks as saying that “the agreement may keep some of the Israeli captives in captivity for a long time.”

An Israeli source said “things are progressing quickly” and the belief in Israel is that “these are critical days.”

Israel’s Channel 12 said the proposed agreement includes a ceasefire lasting two months or more, adding that Hamas has agreed to a limited Israeli military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor near the border with Egypt as part of the deal, but no further details were provided.

The plan may also allow thousands of Gazans to return to the northern parts of the enclave after undergoing security checks, with Israel exploring ways to facilitate this movement, according to the report.

The deal, the Israeli channel said, involves the release of several dozen Israeli captives in exchange for 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile detainees.

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However, unresolved issues remain, such as whether the released Palestinian prisoners will be returned to Gaza, the West Bank, or relocated to a third country.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas on the Israeli claims.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces criticism from opposition groups and families of Israeli hostages for stalling prisoner swap deals in an effort to protect his political career.

On Sunday, Israel Hayom daily said Netanyahu demanded a complete media ban on any reports related to the prisoner swap talks.

-MEMO

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