Saudi media: 'Israel', Qatar negotiate new prisoner-captive swap deal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
12 Dec 2023 14:18
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The Saudi news website Elaph has disclosed that a European capital is currently hosting confidential discussions between Israeli and Qatari delegations.

Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaks during a joint press conference with his US counterpart in the Capital Doha, on November 22, 2022. (AFP)

Saudi Elaph news website revealed that a European capital is hosting secret meetings between an Israeli and a Qatari delegation to discuss a new prisoner-captive exchange deal with Hamas.

Quoting a high-level diplomatic source, the site reported that the Israeli and Qatari delegations are working on formulating a new exchange deal that includes children, women, and men, including three senior officers in the Israeli army who were captured by Hamas.

In return, the source stated that "Israel" will commit to releasing about 300 Palestinian prisoners, including 10 prisoners who have served lengthy sentences, among them Marwan al-Barghouti, a leading figure in the Fatah movement.

The source noted that the Israeli delegation includes officers from the Mossad and the Shin Bet, in addition to a representative from Benjamin Netanyahu's office and a representative from the Israeli army working in the office of the head of military intelligence. The Israeli delegation also includes a psychologist and a negotiation specialist.

Moreover, the report indicated that among the delegation members, there are "former Mossad elements recruited specifically for this mission with experience in this field and strong relationships with Qataris, some of whom have business ties with Qatar through foreign companies."

According to the report, the Qatari delegation includes figures from intelligence, Amiri Diwan of Qatar, and experts in negotiating with Hamas.

The site emphasized that the meetings are taking place in the capital of a European country.

Meanwhile, Ali Abu Shahin, a member of the Political Bureau of the Islamic Jihad Movement, confirmed in his statement to Al Mayadeen on Monday that all matters concerning negotiations on prisoners will occur following a comprehensive ceasefire.

He further rebuffed information circulated by certain Israeli media outlets regarding the negotiations, affirming that there are currently no ongoing discussions regarding a prisoner swap deal.

Resuming the negotiations

Israeli media had reported, citing an informed Israeli source, that "Israel" has, in principle, made a decision indicating its "openness to consider suggestions from intermediaries concerning the prisoners."

The source clarified that "the terms and the requirement for the release of women first remain unchanged."

In this context, the political affairs commentator on Israeli Channel 12 Yaron Avraham spoke of "a fresh development in discussions concerning a prisoner swap deal for the initial time."

The correspondent quoted an Israeli source as saying that "there are things that have matured, where, within their framework, new agreements can be initiated, both from the Hamas side and the Israeli side."

He added that "Mossad chief David Barnea and Reserve Major General Nitzan Alon have received new old instructions to start listening to what the mediators, meaning the Qataris, have to say if they want to propose something, but without initiating a clear Israeli draft."

He noted that the internal assessment is that a new agreement is unlikely in the coming week, but in "Israel", there is a desire to explore new avenues and possibilities.

In this context, Axios reported, on Monday, that “Israel” expressed to Qatar its willingness to discuss a new agreement regarding prisoner exchange.

A member of the Hamas movement political bureau, who is the head of the detainees, wounded, and martyrs files in the Hamas movement, Zaher Jabarin, reiterated that "there will be no prisoner exchange [deal] as long as the Israeli aggression on Gaza continues."