Israel, Hamas considering ‘children-for-children’ swap – media — RT World News
Kan 11 TV claimed that the supposed talks were being mediated by Qatar and the United States
Israel and Hamas are negotiating a potential “children for children” exchange deal with the United States and Qatar, which are acting as mediators, Israeli state-owned Kan 11 television channel reported, citing anonymous sources. An agreement could be reached within the next 48 to 72 hours, ABC reported, citing an unnamed Israeli official.
According to Israeli government estimates, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups are still holding 240 hostages in Gaza after the October 7 incursion. So far, Hamas has released four people – a mother and daughter from Chicago, as well as two elderly Israeli women. Israeli forces also managed to rescue a captured soldier.
Qatar, which hosts the political office of the Islamic Group, played a major role in facilitating these releases.
Kan 11 channel reported in its report on Tuesday:Two sources familiar with the details of the talksIt is also claimed that the deal could lead to the release of kidnapped Israeli children from captivity in Gaza, as well as the release of Palestinian children currently detained in Israeli prisons. One source confirmed that negotiations are still ongoing, and a final decision has not been taken yet.
Meanwhile, ABC, citing an unnamed Israeli official, reported that significant progress had been made, and that the release of hostages and prisoners could take place within a few days.
Israel and Hamas are currently trying to agree on the exact number of hostages to be released, the names of Palestinian prisoners to be released, as well as the stages in which the process will take place, Kan 11 reported. The media also claimed that the Israeli authorities are likely to agree to a ceasefire. As part of the deal, though, its duration is still under discussion.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden also expressed confidence that such an agreement would be concluded soon.
The Washington Post reported Monday that Israel and Hamas are moving toward a hostage agreement that could lead to the release of most Israeli women and children held by the movement in Gaza. The newspaper’s source claimed:The general outline of the deal has been understood,“It could be announced within several days.
In a statement issued on the same day, Abu Ubaida, spokesman for the Hamas-affiliated Al-Qassam Brigades, said the movement was prepared to release up to 70 Israeli children and women in exchange for a five-day truce. He added that the movement also seeks to release up to 200 Palestinian children and 75 women detained in Israeli prisons.
