After Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant hinted last week that an agreement for the return of prisoners from Hamas in the Gaza Strip was within reach, emphasizing that the time had come to finalize the deal, a new development has emerged in the matter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the families of some of the captives held in Gaza, which has been under siege for more than nine months, and reassured them regarding their loved ones. Netanyahu revealed to the families that an agreement could soon be reached for a prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas, stating that it would occur in phases.
He viewed the potential agreement as a result of military pressure, referencing the intensified Israeli military operations in recent days, which Tel Aviv justified as military pressure to finalize a deal, even though it resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Netanyahu informed the families of the captives to proceed with the exchange agreement, coinciding with military pressure.
These developments came just days after Defense Minister Yoav Galant confirmed that the agreement for the return of prisoners from Hamas in Gaza was within reach. Israeli reports indicated that Galant believes Hamas is interested in reaching a deal, and although the package on the table is not ideal, the ground has become conducive for understanding.
In recent closed meetings, Galant discussed the situation if an agreement is not reached within the next two weeks, stressing that the fate of the prisoners would be decisive. According to sources, the minister affirmed that circumstances have matured for an agreement with Hamas, accusing Netanyahu of obstructing progress to maintain support from ultra-right elements in the coalition.
### Netanyahu in Washington
It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday. He is scheduled to deliver a speech before Congress on Wednesday and will meet with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris later in the week. Additionally, a much-anticipated meeting with President Joe Biden is set for Thursday, as stated by a senior U.S. official on Monday.
The prisoner exchange negotiations have been stalled for some time between Israel and Hamas, amid pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a swap as soon as possible. Sources familiar with the discussions indicated that negotiations between the two parties face four main obstacles hindering a ceasefire agreement thus far.
The first sticking point involves the issue of hostages, whom Israel demands be released. The second point pertains to Netanyahu's demand that armed militants not return to northern Gaza. The third point is his wish for Israeli forces to remain at the Rafah crossing in the southern sector. The fourth contentious issue is Netanyahu's desire for any ceasefire not to be an indefinite obligation for Israel.
Another potential point of contention is the clause that would require Israel to withdraw its forces from populated areas in Gaza. Meanwhile, talks for a ceasefire gained momentum after Hamas dropped its insistence on a complete Israeli withdrawal from the territory as a condition for a truce and the release of prisoners, but they slowed down since the weekend when Israel bombed central Gaza in an attempt to kill the movement's military leader, Mohammed Deif.
