The decision follows talks in Paris on a hostage-prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas – Netanyahu: “It is not clear if there will be an agreement to release the hostages”
Israel’s war cabinet approved on Sunday the guidelines on negotiations with Hamas over a hostage exchange deal, according to Israeli media.
The move came after talks held in Paris on Friday between representatives Israel, USA, Qatar and Egypt to discuss a hostage-prisoner exchange agreement between Tel Aviv and Hamas.
When Hamas accepts these guidelines, Israel will send a delegation to Qatar to continue talks on the exchange of hostages, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported.
The newspaper, however, did not elaborate on the guidelines
According to the newspaper, many details still remain to be discussed, including the terms of a proposed ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza.
Hamas is believed to is holding more than 130 Israeli hostages after its bloody attack on October 7, while Israel holds at least 8,800 Palestinians in its prisons, according to official sources from both sides.
An earlier deal in November resulted in the release of 81 Israelis and 24 foreigners in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians, including 71 women and 169 children.
Hamas accuses Israel of killing more than 29,690 people in its military operations, causing mass destruction and shortages of basic necessities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed by the Palestinian terrorist group.
“It is not clear if there will be an agreement to release the hostages”
It is not yet clear whether a deal to free the hostages will emerge from ongoing negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, declining to be specific but saying Hamas must “come to a reasonable situation.”
In an interview with CBS News, Netanyahu added that he would meet with advisers later today to review a two-pronged military plan that includes the removal of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and an operation to destroy the remaining Hamas factions.
“If there’s a deal, it’s going to be a bit delayed, but it’s going to happen. If there’s no deal, we’re going to do it anyway,” he told CBS.
Source :Skai
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