Hamas announces reaching an agreement to resolve the delay in releasing Palestinian prisoners after the success of Egyptian mediation
On Tuesday, mediators between Israel and Hamas reached an agreement whereby Israel would release all Palestinian prisoners who were scheduled to be released last week in exchange for Hamas handing over the bodies of four Israeli hostages.
The agreement stipulates that all of these Palestinian prisoners will be released in conjunction with the delivery of the bodies of the four Israeli detainees, under Egyptian supervision.
Hamas confirmed reaching this agreement, indicating in a statement that it falls within the framework of the first phase of the truce in effect between it and Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas announced on Tuesday that a delegation from it had concluded a visit to Cairo, during which an agreement was reached to resolve the problem of delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released last Saturday.
Hamas said in a statement, “The Hamas leadership delegation, headed by Dr. Khalil al Hayya, concluded its visit to Cairo, where it met with Egyptian officials… Discussions were held on the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the exchange of prisoners, and the prospects for the second phase of negotiations”.
The delegation affirmed its clear position on the necessity of full and precise commitment to all its provisions and stages.
On same context, an agreement was also reached to resolve the problem of delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released in the last batch, so that they would be released simultaneously with the bodies of the Israeli prisoners who were agreed to be handed over during the first stage, in addition to the corresponding Palestinian women and children.
For his part, an Israeli official said on Tuesday evening that understandings had been reached with Hamas to resolve the crisis of Tel Aviv delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released.
Channel 13, a private Israeli channel, quoted the Israeli official without naming him as saying, “The Egyptian mediation has succeeded, as understandings have been reached to resolve the crisis of delaying the release of Palestinian prisoners”.
The Israeli official added, “If there is no last-minute change, the bodies of the four kidnapped will be released Wednesday night without ceremony, and the Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli prisons gradually”.
