Prisoner-exchange deal poster
Hamas preparing for talks on prisoner-exchange deal
Gaza group's political official claims indirect negotiations to begin with Israel on release of Palestinian detainees for return of two IDF soldiers' bodies.
Hamas continued to signal its willingness on Thursday to engage in negotiations with Israel to exchange the bodies of two IDF soldiers killed in Gaza for the release of Palestinian security detainees.
An official from Hamas' political wing, Mohammed Nazel, said Thursday that the group was prepared to open an indirect channel with Israel in order to reach a deal. He claimed the negotiations would commence in the near future, allowing Israel to retrieve the bodies of Sec.-Lt. Hadar Goldin and St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul.
Egypt will be the designated mediator, which is expected to take place in Cairo. Nazel clarified that Egypt has already officially announced to Hamas that these negotiations would be separate from the indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, which is pushing for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Gaza poster promising new prisoner-exchange deal
Nazel's remarks were another signal of an impending deal. Two weeks ago, Hamas spokesman in Gaza Mushir Al Masri said that the organization was on the brink of a second prisoner exchange deal with Israel, and that Palestinian prisoners will be released in return for the bodies of the Israeli soldiers Hamas has captured.
On Monday, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told Iran's PressTV that "the cause of our prisoners is our priority, achieving their freedom is our duty," adding that "God willing we will get their freedom and their families will have them back in their arms, I wish them all these soon be released."
Billboards posted in central junctions across the Strip, proclaiming "Soon – Wafa Al-Ahrar 2" (Wafa al-Ahrar is Hamas' moniker for the Gilad Shalit deal), present further evidence that a deal is in the works.
Hamas activists have posted stickers with the same slogan on fences and walls across Gaza.
The final hint of a new prisoner-exchange deal came from Israel: Prime Minister Netanyahu appointed Col. (res.) Lior Lotan as the new coordinator on the issue of POWs and MIAs on Tuesday.
Lotan will replace former Mossad official David Meidan, who retired the role after filling the position voluntarily for the past three years, during which he played a part in the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal.
"Israel is obligated to bring its missing citizens home," Netanyahu said. "
