The Hamas movement denied reports that progress has been made in the prisoner swap file with Israel. There have been no developments in the issue, said Hamas official Moussa Doudin.
Doudin, who is responsible for the prisoner file, said claims that a deal is about to be struck are “baseless”, adding that no serious contacts are taking place and the Israeli leadership is not taking the issue seriously.
Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the only progress made is that Hamas is ready with its proposals, requests and lists, but contacts have not risen to the desired level.
Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh confirmed last week that a prisoner deal with Israel could be accomplished if Tel Aviv responded to the requirements. He did not specify the conditions, but Hamas has long called for the release of prisoners Israel had recaptured.
Hamas and Israel are both looking forward to a comprehensive deal, but reports now indicate there will be a partial agreement according to an initiative proposed by the movement’s leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.
Sinwar told al-Aqsa television last week that the movement is willing to make partial concessions on the issue of the two Israeli soldiers in its custody, Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul. He said that Hamas is ready for the humanitarian initiative, in exchange for Israel’s approval to release the elderly, sick and female Palestinian prisoners.
Sinwar did not clarify what he meant by partial concessions, but this could include providing information about the soldiers in Gaza, whether they are alive or dead, and may include the release of civilians.
The Israeli government responded by saying it was ready to start indirect talks with Hamas to conclude an agreement leading to the release of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
Countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, Sweden and Germany are expected to contribute to help move the talks forward.
However, sources confirmed that contacts were made with Hamas after the Israeli announcement, but that did not progress into anything further. Tel Aviv is in no rush to strike a deal because it is preoccupied with efforts to form a new government and the fight against the coronavirus outbreak.
Besides Shaul and Goldin, whom Hamas captured in the summer 2014 war, it is also detaining Avera Mengistu, an Israeli of Ethiopian descent, and Hashem Badawi al-Sayyed, of Arab descent. Both crossed into Gaza at two different times after the war. Israel believes Shaul and Goldin are dead, however, Hamas does not provide any information about them.
