Hamas Denies Israeli Media Reports on Prisoner Exchange Negotiations
In a recent statement to Al Jazeera, Bassem Naim, a member of Hamas's Political Bureau, refuted claims made by Israeli media suggesting that Hamas had agreed to a proposal for the release of all Israeli prisoners within three weeks. This proposal allegedly included a ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Naim emphasized that Gershon Baskin, a figure frequently associated with past negotiations, is no longer connected to the Israeli government or security services, and his current role is limited to assisting families of prisoners seeking to negotiate their release.
Baskin, an American writer and peace activist, was notably involved in the negotiations for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011, which resulted in the release of over a thousand Palestinian prisoners. However, Naim's comments suggest skepticism about the credibility of current negotiations, indicating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been obstructing progress.
Details of the Proposed Agreement
Reports from Israeli media indicated that Baskin had communicated with a senior Hamas official regarding a potential deal that would involve the release of all Israeli prisoners—both living and deceased—in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and a five-year ceasefire. The proposal also included international guarantees for humanitarian aid and the establishment of a technocratic government in Gaza, excluding both Hamas and Fatah.
Naim criticized Netanyahu's approach to the negotiations, asserting that he has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of genuine interest in reaching an agreement. He accused Netanyahu of using the negotiation process to buy time while pursuing his own agenda. Furthermore, Naim condemned Netanyahu's recent appearance at the United Nations, expressing disbelief that a leader facing accusations of war crimes was allowed to address the assembly, and interpreted Netanyahu's speech as a threat to the stability of the entire region, not just to Palestinians or Hamas.
