Hamas leader says deal to release some hostages could come soon

Nov 21, 2023 ·

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has said that a deal that could lead to the release of some of the hostages held by the militant group for years may be imminent. The announcement comes after months of delicate negotiations between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Egypt.

Sinwar, the head of the Hamas political bureau in Gaza, said at a press conference on Sunday that "we are close to a deal that will bring joy to our people." He added that the agreement would involve "the release of a number of prisoners who have been held for many years," as well as other benefits for Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip.

The deal is believed to be based on a prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel. Details of the deal remain unclear, however, including which prisoners would be released and when. It is likely that the Israeli government will not officially comment on the deal until a final agreement is reached.

If successful, the deal would mark a major step forward in restoring ties between Israel and Hamas, which were severed in 2006 when the group took control of the Gaza Strip. It would also provide some relief to the families of Israelis held by Hamas since 2014, including the three Israeli teenagers kidnapped by the group in June of that year.

As part of the deal, Hamas is believed to be asking for an easing of the economic blockade imposed by Israel, Egypt and the West Bank, as well as greater access to aid money from international donors. In return, they are expected to commit to maintaining the ceasefire with Israel, preventing further rocket fire, and refraining from attempting to build tunnels or launch attacks against Israeli forces.

The potential deal is seen by many as a sign of hope in an area that has long been plagued by persistent conflict and poverty. If successful, it could bring an end to years of suffering for Palestinians in the region, and open up the possibility for peace talks between Israel and Hamas in the future.