TEL AVIV: In return for Israeli captives, the violent Hamas group has demanded the release of 194 Palestinians who are being detained in Israeli prisons.
According to Israeli Foreign Ministry sources involved in current mediation attempts in Qatar, Hamas's primary demand concerns the women and children detained in Israeli jails on various crimes.
However, knowledgeable officials stated that the Israeli government has not given its approval to any such demand. The sources claim that the mediators based in Qatar have proposed the release of fifty captives who were abducted on October 7 from Israel.
However, the Israeli side has refused to accept it.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, downplayed the news, calling it merely a rumor and denying any talks about a potential prisoner swap. He said that the government would immediately notify the public of any such developments.
Yoav Gallant, the minister of defense, stated on Thursday that increasing military pressure on Hamas is the only option to free the captives it took during its huge attack on October 7.
238 people, including foreigners and Israelis, are reportedly being held captive in Gaza, according to Israeli police.
According to certain media accounts, about thirty of the captives are minors.
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