i24NEWS
April 09, 2020, 05:07 AM – latest revision April 09, 2020, 05:10 AM
W 2 min read
Oron Shaul (L), Hadar Goldin (C) and Avraham Mengistu(R)
Jerusalem to release prisoners as humanitarian gesture in return for information on missing IDF soldiers
Hamas is offering Israel information on the remains of two IDF soldiers in return for releasing seniors, women and children from Israeli prisons, Beirut-based daily Al Akhbar reported on Monday.
Hamas transferred its initiative to the Egyptian intelligence community, Hebrew-language public radio Kan reported, citing Al Akhbar.
According to the report, the Egyptians have been conducting negotiations in recent days between the Jewish State and the terrorist organization based in the Gaza Strip. Hamas’s offer is a preliminary deal ahead of a larger prisoners swap deal, similar to the deal outlined before the Gilad Shalit deal was sealed in 2011.
The remains of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul are believed to be held in the Palestinian enclave by Hamas. The two were killed in 2014 in the Gaza Strip during Operation Protective Edge.
Earlier on Thursday, Hebrew media reported that Hamas launched rockets toward Mediterranean sea from Gaza in part of a military drill.
On Wednesday, Arab media sources, citing Egyptian intelligence officials, reported that Cairo is willing to mediate the possible negotiations over the release of two Israeli civilians currently in Hamas captivity.
The negotiations, if realized, would also include returning the remains of Goldin and Shaul.