Hamas, Israel signal possible expansion of hostage-deal criteria
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Hostages who were abducted by Hamas gunmen during the October 7 attack being handed over to members of the International Red Cross.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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DUBAI/JERUSALEM - Hamas said it had sought a new truce deal with Israel, under which the Palestinian armed group would free hostages beyond the women and children it has already released
The remarks by Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya late on Nov 27 came as Israel expanded the roster of Palestinian detainees it could release in exchange for hostages.
It was another signal that a revision of truce terms was being considered.
“We hope the Occupation (Israel) abides (by the agreement) in the next two days because we are seeking a new agreement, besides women and children, whereby other categories that we have that we can swap,” Mr Al-Hayya told Al Jazeera.
That, he said, would entail “going towards an additional time period to continue swapping people at this stage”.
On Nov 27, the original four-day truce was extended by two more days.
Under the Qatari- and Egyptian-mediated deal clinched last week
Accordingly, Israel had originally pre-cleared 300 Palestinian women and teenaged male detainees for prospective release.
Late on Nov 27, the Israeli cabinet added 50 female prisoners to that roster, according to officials.
Asked to explain the new number – which, not being divisible by three, suggested a new exchange formula might be in the works – Israeli government spokespeople did not immediately respond.
Hamas seized some 240 people during its Oct 7 attack on southern Israel
In response, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza, which Hamas controls. The Israeli military action has killed at least 15,000 people in the enclave and left many homeless. REUTERS
