NBC News reported today that negotiations for a prisoner exchange between the Palestinian Hamas movement and Israel are stalled due to Israel's refusal to allow fuel shipments into the Gaza Strip. The network cited an unnamed former U.S. official familiar with the negotiations, stating that Israel, the U.S., and other countries insist on the release of a large number of their citizens who are being held captive. The network estimated that Hamas and other Palestinian factions that attacked Israeli cities and settlements on October 7 have 230 hostages.
The situation regarding the prisoners held by Hamas is developing rapidly, amid intensive Egyptian communications aimed at reaching an agreement for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange, as well as similar efforts from Qatar. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure from the families of the hostages who oppose a ground attack on Gaza, while Hamas demands the release of all Palestinian prisoners. The "Cairo News" channel reported on Sunday that high-level Egyptian communications are ongoing with all relevant international and regional parties to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners and hostages in Gaza.
