Tuesday, June 1st, 2021
Probably two Israelis in custody
Hamas wants to talk about prisoner exchanges
So far, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has lasted. To keep it that way, Egypt tries to mediate between the two parties. The aim is a long-term ceasefire. Among other things, Hamas is interested in a quick exchange of prisoners. Over 5000 of their fighters are in prison in Israel.
Ten days after the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas came into effect, the radical Islamic Palestinian organization has agreed to negotiate an exchange of prisoners. “We are ready for indirect, urgent and swift negotiations” on this matter, said the head of Hamas’ political wing in the Gaza Strip, Jahia Sinwar. There is now a “real chance” to move this matter forward.
Sinwar made these remarks on the sidelines of a visit by the Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel to the Gaza Strip. Kamel is trying to consolidate the ceasefire that came into effect after eleven days of heavy rocket fire between the Israeli army and Hamas. The ceasefire was brought about through the mediation of Egypt.
According to a Hamas representative who wanted to remain anonymous, Kamel’s talks in Gaza City revolved around the desired transition from the current ceasefire to a long-term ceasefire, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and an exchange of prisoners. Kamel had previously visited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
The Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Aschkenasi also met his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Schukri in Cairo on Sunday. It was the first official visit by an Israeli foreign minister to Cairo in 13 years. Here, too, it was a question of a permanent gun silence between Israel and Hamas. Ashkenazi spoke in Cairo about the fate of two missing Israeli soldiers believed to be dead. He also spoke about two Israeli citizens believed to be detained in the Gaza Strip. In Israel, on the other hand, there are more than 5,000 Palestinians in prisons.
According to health workers, 254 Palestinians, including 66 children, were killed in the heavy rocket fire between Israel and Hamas. In Israel, according to doctors, twelve people were killed by rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
.