Progress in hostage negotiations has taken a significant turn as Hamas reportedly agreed to include IDF soldiers in the first phase of a potential deal, according to Egypt's Al-Ghad channel.
Key Details of Proposed Deal:
- Release of 250 Palestinian prisoners (elderly, children, ill)
- Israel submitted list of 34 hostages for first phase, but 11 hostages don't meet "humanitarian" criteria
- Hamas identifies some hostages as soldiers but agrees to include them for "special compensation"
- Five female soldiers to be released
The development comes as negotiations advance on several fronts, including opening Rafah crossing, IDF withdrawal from Netzarim corridor, return of displaced Gazans to northern Strip and a gradual pullback from Philadelphia corridor.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, however, remains firm on broader war aims. "I won't agree to end the war with Hamas still in power," he told the Wall Street Journal. "We won't leave them ruling Gaza, 50 kilometers from Tel Aviv."
Barghouti Controversy
The talks face another hurdle over Marwan Barghouti, whom Hamas reportedly wants released. Israeli officials strongly deny he's part of any deal. The Fatah leader, serving five life sentences, is seen as a potential successor to Palestinian Authority President Abbas. It's likely that Hamas is insisting that Barghouti be released, so that he can fill the current leadership vacuum. However it has also been rumored that he will be expelled, so he would have to lead from a distance.
Whatever the case, if Israel does indeed agree to release him, it would mirror the Gilad Shalit deal when they released Yahya Sinwar – a disastrous error we are all still paying for.
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