Hamas says prisoner swap deal stalled by Israel

Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, said Israel requested 100 women and children be released from Hamas custody.

In return, the al-Qassam Brigades offered the exchange of 200 Palestinian children and 75 women held in Israeli custody, a five-day ceasefire, and entry of humanitarian aid to the entire besieged Strip.

The al-Qassam spokesperson said that Israel is stalling on a response to their offer and that Qatar is facilitating the talks.

There are currently 200 Palestinian children and 75 women in Israeli custody. Around 239 hostages are reported to be in Gaza after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel, but it is unclear how many are still alive after Israel’s heavy bombardment of the Gaza Strip.