A Saudi news outlet has reported that negotiations are advancing in efforts to resolve complications in the ongoing deal with Hamas, which has been repeatedly disrupted due to the terror group’s violations of the ceasefire terms with Israel.
According to Asharq Al-Awsat, discussions are underway that could result in Hamas handing over the remains of two murdered hostages to Israel. In exchange, Israel would move forward with the planned release of more than 600 imprisoned terrorists who were originally set to be freed on Saturday.
The sources providing this information did not clarify which hostages’ remains would be transferred as part of the potential arrangement.
So far, Israel’s defense establishment has not publicly addressed the report, and neither the Israeli government nor mediators involved in the negotiations have issued any official statements on the matter.
An Israeli source later dismissed the claims, stating that the report is “not true.”
Earlier on Monday, Israeli officials communicated to mediators that they were prepared to go through with releasing the 602 terrorists who had been scheduled for release on Saturday—on the condition that Hamas delivers the remains of four murdered hostages, whose bodies were set to be handed over on Thursday.
This exchange would mark the completion of the deal’s initial phase. However, negotiations over the second phase remain unresolved, with no finalized agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Israeli officials previously explained that part of the delay in the process stemmed from Hamas’ degrading and provocative “release ceremonies” when handing over hostages, as well as an incident in which the terror group substituted the body of hostage Shiri Bibas with that of a deceased Gazan woman.
Meanwhile, on Monday morning, Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasem emphasized that no further discussions would take place unless Israel followed through with the prisoner release.
“Before we talk, we will demand the release of the seventh group of our prisoners,” he stated. “It’s not logical to extend the first stage of the deal, or to begin negotiations for the second stage, while the issues are stuck regarding this group.”
{Matzav.com Israel}