Israeli state news outlet KAN has said that conditions for a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas have yet to be finalized.
“Talks on an agreement are at an early stage. Only general statements of intent have been made, and not concrete proposals,” sources told the broadcaster on Thursday.
Kan noted that neither the number nor the identities of prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons have been decided upon.
The sources said Israel is refusing to release any prisoners with blood on their hands, and is interested in a one-time deal on humanitarian grounds.
Tel Aviv is demanding to receive the bodies of Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, as well as the two Israeli citizens held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Avera Mengistu and Hisham a-Said.
Reports about a deal came after a former Mossad official involved in a 2011 prisoner exchange said there was a “real possibility” on a deal.
Last month, Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar said the movement is ready for the humanitarian initiative, in exchange for Israel’s approval to release the elderly, sick, and female Palestinian prisoners.
In response, the Israeli occupation government said it was willing to start indirect talks with Hamas to conclude an agreement leading to the release of Israeli prisoners in Gaza.
Reports said German, Swiss and Egyptian mediators were holding talks with Israel and Hamas to agree on the swap.
Kan revealed the name of the Swiss diplomat, identified later as Roland Steininger, Switzerland's Special Coordinator for the Peace Process in the Near-East.
On Thursday, Hamas demanded the release of Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Secretary-General Ahmed Sa’adat as part of the prisoner exchange agreement with Israel.
Senior Hamas official Maher Obeid said any prisoner swap must include “all the symbols, from Marwan Barghouti to Ahmad Sa’adat to Fouad al-Shobaki to Karim Younes and others.”
