Sources from Al Arabiya reported today, Thursday, that Hamas has refused to inform Israel about the route for transporting prisoners, noting that Hamas claims there are prisoners held by other factions for which data is being collected. The sources added that Israel and Hamas are considering proposals regarding arrangements for hostage transfer operations, indicating that mediators are currently coordinating to resolve outstanding issues regarding the prisoner deal.
In this context, Hamas rejected allowing the Red Cross to visit prisoners in Gaza, according to the Jerusalem Post. Meanwhile, Hamas leader Osama Hamdan announced today that the movement is monitoring details and arrangements for the ceasefire and will announce the start date upon reaching an agreement.
Hamdan confirmed in statements that things "are moving in a positive direction," according to the Arab World News Agency. For his part, a member of the Hamas leadership abroad, Hisham Qassem, stated that the start date of the anticipated ceasefire is tied to the completion of arrangements related to the names of the detainees held by both sides.
