Israel Optimistic About New Hostage Release Framework Negotiated In Paris

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel’s Channel 13 revealed that Israel and Hamas have negotiated in Paris over a new framework for releasing hostages. It is still unclear if the new framework with all its details will be accepted by Hamas.

The new framework calls for the release of 40 hostages- women, elderly and sick – in return for hundreds of terrorists imprisoned in Israel (at an apparent cost of ten terrorists for each hostage- altogether 400 terrorists of which 15 are convicted murderers)and a 6-week break in hostilities.

According to foreign officials involved in the negotiations, Israel is willing to release terrorists who were part of the Shalit deal and have since been rearrested. Israel will also show flexibility on humanitarian issues -allowing reconstruction in Gaza as well as well as the return of civilians to northern Gaza. Israel will not commit to ending the war.

The details represent a significant shift in Hamas’s position, but senior Israeli officials warn that the deal is still far from closed. Hamas officials have so far denied the progress in negotiations, claiming that the Paris talks are “internal dealings which Hamas has nothing to do with.” Yet the terrorist organization has been clear about its desire to reach some form of ceasefire before Ramadan, which starts in just 14 days.