Gaza mediators explore accelerating prisoner exchange: Israeli media

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
1 Feb 2025 22:06

Ehud Yaari, the Israeli Channel 12’s Arab affairs analyst, says Hamas has expressed willingness to accelerate the prisoner exchange deal.

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Palestinians who were imprisoned by "Israel" arrive on buses at the European Hospital in Khan Younis for checkups on February 1, 2025 (AFP)

Mediators involved in the prisoner exchange deal between "Israel" and the Palestinian Resistance are exploring the possibility of expediting its implementation, the Israeli Channel 12 reported.

Ehud Yaari, the channel’s Arab affairs analyst, indicated that the suggestion aims to facilitate larger exchanges within shorter timeframes by merging and streamlining certain phases of the process.

According to Yari, Hamas has expressed willingness to accelerate the prisoner exchange deal.

The analyst also noted that he does not foresee a scenario where the deal halts after the completion of its first phase, adding, "In any case, there will be a second phase, so it is better to move forward quickly."

"There is no reason not to do so."

In a related context, Israeli media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to hold a meeting Saturday night regarding dispatching a team to Qatar on Monday for talks on completing the deal.

The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and "Israel" consists of three phases. The first phase spans 42 days, during which the Palestinian group is set to release 33 Israeli captives in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli occupation prisons.

Earlier on Saturday, the al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, handed over three Israeli captives in exchange for the release of 183 detainees as part of the fourth batch of the deal. On Thursday, as part of the third batch, Hamas released three Israeli female captives and five Thai nationals in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

In the second batch, the group handed over three Israeli female soldiers in exchange for 200 Palestinian prisoners, while in the first batch of the exchange, Hamas released three Israeli female captives in return for 90 Palestinian detainees.

Violations against Palestinian detainees constitute war crimes: Hamas

The Hamas movement said Saturday that the ongoing violations against Palestinian prisoners and detainees demand immediate action from the United Nations, the international community, and human rights and humanitarian organizations, calling for an end to the "war crimes" being committed by the occupation and for those responsible to be held accountable.

In a statement, the movement condemned the ongoing horrific violations against the courageous Palestinian detainees, labeling them as "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity."

Hamas highlighted that several detainees were transferred directly from the occupation’s prisons to hospitals to receive medical treatment due to the abuse and torture they endured.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza reported that the detainees released as part of the prisoner exchange deal endured severe beatings by jailers for several days before their release.

Our correspondent also reported on Saturday that some of the released detainees suffered rib fractures from being severely beaten by Israeli jailers over several days.

Issa al-Darabi, a prisoner released from Ramon prison, shared with Al Mayadeen the harrowing experience of Palestinian detainees inside Israeli jails. He revealed that the Israeli occupation was employing a policy of systematic starvation against the detainees, while its soldiers continued their daily lives as though they were in their own homes.

The Palestinian Prisoners Society also condemned the occupation for practicing "systematic terrorism" against the released detainees, highlighting its efforts to prevent their families from organizing any reception or welcoming events for them.

In parallel, the Ramallah and al-Bireh governorates reported that 10 released detainees were transferred to hospitals due to their critical health conditions resulting from the abuse they endured during their detention.