Israel has accepted a proposal for a prisoner-for-hostage exchange with the United States that would see the release of about 700 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 40 Israeli hostages, according to reports from Kan News. The exchange is part of ongoing negotiations between Hamas and Israel, with the United States acting as a mediator.
The proposal was presented by CIA Director Bill Burns, who is currently in Doha, Qatar, where the talks are taking place. While Israel has accepted the proposal, they are waiting for a response from Hamas. The deal is expected to have multiple phases, with the first stage focusing on the release of women, elderly, sick, and injured hostages.
This development comes after Hamas previously demanded the release of between 700 and 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, a demand that Israel had described as “ridiculous” and “absurd.” However, Israel is now reportedly willing to make “significant commitments” to ensure the safe return of the hostages.
High-level Israeli officials, including Mossad Director David Barnea, have been involved in the negotiations, with multiple visits to Doha this week for talks. While progress has been made, there are still outstanding issues to be resolved, including aid distribution and Israeli military repositioning in Gaza.
Both Israeli and Hamas officials have been contacted for comments on the status of the talks, as the international community watches closely for updates on this potentially historic exchange.