Hamas and Israel indicate willingness to expand prisoner exchange program
Hamas and Israel have signaled their willingness to extend the ceasefire agreement in order to exchange more hostages and prisoners. Hamas representative Khalil al-Hajjah said on Monday evening that the radical Islamic Palestinian group was seeking a new agreement in which it would not only release women and children. This would mean "that we seek an additional period of time to continue the exchange of people at this stage".
Hamas therefore hopes that Israel will adhere to the ceasefire, which was extended by two days on Monday, Al-Hajjah told the Arabic TV channel Al-Jazeera. At the same time, Israel added 50 female prisoners to the list of Palestinian prisoners eligible for release on Monday evening, which also indicates the possibility of an extension of the agreement.
Israel had previously held out the prospect of releasing 300 Palestinian women and male youths from prison. On Monday, Israel and Hamas extended the ceasefire, which initially came into force for four days on Friday, by two days. As part of the agreement brokered by Qatar and Egypt, Hamas released 50 Israeli women and children and Israel released 150 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Hamas abducted around 240 people in the Gaza Strip during its attack on Israel on October 7. The hostages still being held include fathers and husbands of women and children who have already been released.
- Despite the ongoing Middle East war between Hamas and Israel, both parties have shown readiness to cease fire and expand the prisoner exchange program, aiming to release more hostages and prisoners.
- The readiness for expansion in the prisoner exchange program was evident when Hamas's representative, Khalil al-Hajjah, stated that they seek an extended period to continue exchanging prisoners, including women and children.
- Israel's decision to add 50 female prisoners to the list of Palestinian prisoners eligible for release further indicates their commitment to the expansion of the prisoner exchange program, potentially leading to a prolongation of the ceasefire agreement.
Source: www.ntv.de
