Israel has reportedly agreed to a US 'bridging proposal' regarding the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for hostages held by Hamas. The agreement was reached following discussions facilitated by CIA Director Bill Burns in Doha, Qatar, where negotiations between Hamas and Israel are ongoing.
According to sources, the delegations are now awaiting a response from Hamas. While the accuracy of the information has been confirmed, there are still outstanding issues to be addressed, including the entry of aid and Israeli military repositioning in Gaza.
The exact number of Palestinian prisoners to be released under the new agreement remains unclear. Previously, Hamas had demanded the release of 700 to 1,000 prisoners, a request that Israel had deemed 'ridiculous' and 'absurd' at the time.
If an agreement is reached, it is expected to be implemented in multiple phases. The initial stage proposed by Hamas involves the release of women, elderly, sick, and wounded hostages, including Israeli soldiers. This group is estimated to consist of around 40 individuals out of the approximately 100 hostages still held.
Recent developments have seen Mossad Director David Barnea and a high-level Israeli security delegation engaging in talks in Doha on two separate occasions this week. The negotiations mark a significant step forward in the efforts to secure the release of hostages and advance peace talks between Israel and Hamas.
