New Framework For Prisoner Exchange: 45-Day Truce, All Civilians For Hamas Terrorists

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Washington Post reports that a new prisoner exchange agreement calls for Hamas to release all civilian hostages being held inside Gaza in exchange for a six-week ceasefire.

Israel, the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have reached a consensus on a potential deal that entails a 45-day cease-fire as its initial stage. The agreement will also involve the release of Palestinian prisoners, with specific details, such as the number of terrorists to be released for each hostage and the identity of the prisoners, to be discussed between the sides. Additionally, the amount of humanitarian aid entering Gaza will be increased. Hamas has yet to respond to the proposed deal, but leader Ismail Haniyeh said that the group is ‘open’ to serious discussions on a potential hostage deal.

Once Hamas declares it accepts the initial deal, intensive negotiations will commence on its key points. It’s evident Hamas won’t accept the previous deal’s agreement of releasing three Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli hostage.

In the previous agreement, Israeli women and children up to the age of 19 were released in exchange for the release of female Palestinian prisoners and minors. This time, however, Hamas is expected to demand a more significant number of prisoners.
According to reports, Hamas may demand anywhere between 100 to 300 prisoners for every released hostage. Hamas’ conditions for the return of Israeli bodies held in Gaz are still unclear, and it’s unknown if the terror group will agree to exchange them for the bodies of Hamas terrorists or whether it will ask for the release of additional prisoners.

Hamas currently holds 136 Israeli hostages, 29 of whom are confirmed deceased, and four individuals who were already held in Gaza before the October 7 attack. If Hamas’s demands are met, it could potentially lead to the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners. It’s also known Hamas will demand the release of terrorists who carried out attacks against Israelis in exchange for IDF soldiers held in the Strip.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu categorically rejected a deal according to the Hamas conditions, stressing that “thousands of terrorists won’t be released.” Reports had indicated the possible release of 4,000-5,000 terrorists in the deal, making it the highest number of prisoners ever released by Israel.

However, sources close to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir viewed this was simply a trial balloon from Netanyahu’s circle. They believe it to be a strategic move made for the deal to be seen as a success for Netanyahu even if half of the proposed number of Palestinian prisoners would be eventually released.

There are still additional issues to be clarified, such as Hamas’s insistence that the IDF withdraw from the Gaza strip, and allowing people to return to the Northern Gaza region, as well as demanding an end to the war after releasing the hostages.

In his speech at Eli pre-military academy on Tuesday, Netanyahu emphasized his commitment to a complete victory and eradication of Hamas: “The IDF will not withdraw from the Strip. We will not end this war without achieving all of its objectives. Total victory- no less than this.”

According to the current deal, Israel would remove troops from Gazan population centers during the 45-day furlough, release Palestinian prisoners at an approximate ratio of three Palestinians for each hostage, and significantly increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Further pauses would see captured soldiers released in exchange for additional Israeli concessions, and for the basis for a long-term plan for the future of the Gaza Strip.

Israel has agreed in principle to the plan. The plan was transmitted by Israeli officials attending the recent summit meeting in Paris, and presented to Hamas by Egyptian mediators. Hamas has acknowledged receipt of the plan, but has yet to present a formal response.

The plan is one of many such frameworks that have been presented as potential solutions for the conflict and recovery of the hostages recently. Thus far, Israel considers all such plans as initial proposals only, with considerable development needed before they can be implemented.