Hamas insisting on releasing ‘living or dead’ hostages from ‘humanitarian’ group, Israel insists first stage of deal include 30 living hostages.
One of the central issues holding up an agreement on a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal is the number of living hostages to be released in the deal’s first stage, Israel Hayom reported.
In the initial stage of a deal, 33 hostages are expected to be released. This stage “would last for six weeks … [and]would include a full and complete ceasefire, withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.” The deal’s second stage would see the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, Israeli forces, with withdrawal from Gaza. If negotiations on phase two take more than six weeks, the ceasefire will continue as long as talks continue, giving Hamas every incentive to extend the talks, so as to prevent a return to fighting and allow the terror group to regroup. The third phase would include rebuilding Gaza, and repatriation of the remains of deceased hostages to their families.
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