ALBAWABA - As the news of a new possible truce in Gaza and a hostage swap deal between Hamas and Israel, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Hamas is demanding a number of senior prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons, including Marwan Barghouti and Abdallah Barghouti.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Egypt on Wednesday, leading a high-profile delegation, to meet with leaders from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States in hopes of reaching a new possible ceasefire deal with Israel conditioned with the release of hostages held on both warring sides in Gaza.
International pressure is rising for a new truce that could allow for the entrance of humanitarian aid to the besieged Palestinian strip, with the United Nations due to vote on calling for a ceasefire.
News circulated that Hamas has a list of senior prisoners who have been serving lengthy sentences in Israeli prisons, including Marwan Barghouti, Abdallah Barghouti, and Ahmad Saadat.
According to Axios, the head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, David Barnea, met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and CIA director Bill Burns in Europe to discuss a potential new deal to free hostages.
Later in November, Israel and Hamas reached a 4-day humanitarian truce where both sides agreed to a pause as Israel allowed the entrance of aid trucks in exchange for both sides releasing hostages held in custody.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Since October 7, more than 20,000 have been killed by Israeli airstrikes across the besieged strip, more than half of whom are children and women, the Ministry of Health reported. Additionally, 52,586 Gazans have been injured, with injuries varying between mild and severe.
