With the start of the War Cabinet convening to discuss the prisoner deal that is taking shape between Israel and Hamas, a political source made it clear this evening (Tuesday) that all the security forces - including the IDF, the Shin Bet and the Mossad - are in favor of the outline. In addition, the source confirmed that during the days of the ceasefire, there will be no use of planes over the Gaza Strip for 6 hours each day.
According to the source, for two weeks there was an insistence on not accepting Qatar's original offer - which included, among other things, a refusal to allow the population to return to the north of the Strip and limiting the entry of fuel to only the days of the ceasefire. In his words, he emphasized several points of improvement in contrast to the deal proposed two weeks ago: terrorists with blood on their hands will not be released, there may be more women and children who will be released beyond the original deal, fuel will only be brought in during the ceasefire days.
The sources claimed that the 50 abductees would be released in steps over 4 days - and if Hamas "locates" more abductees there would be more days of ceasefire. "Within four days, 50 people, who are living Israelis, will be released," he said. "In addition, maybe Hamas will release Thais unilaterally. At most it will reach 80 people." It was also clarified that all the abductees who will be released have Israeli citizenship: "If Hamas releases foreign citizens - it has nothing to do with the deal."
Apparently, the deal will also include hostages held by the Islamic Jihad. "As far as Hamas is concerned, it is the sovereign, and it is responsible for bringing everyone," he emphasized. "The terrorists who will be released "will be able to go to their homes."
He also referred to Hamas's demand not to use planes over Gaza during the days of the ceasefire, when it was agreed that during the ceasefire, air activity in the Gaza Strip would be suspended for 6 hours. According to the source, "there are other intelligence gathering capabilities. We will not be blind during those 6 hours when there are no drones and balloons in the air." In the summary, it was clarified that "the IDF will continue to occupy the northern part of the Gaza Strip during the cease-fire days, and will continue fighting immediately after the ceasefire."
