Hamas seeking release of commandos who led October 7 attack in hostage swap — report

In its response this week to the latest ceasefire proposal in Gaza, Hamas is for the first time demanding the release of Nukhba terrorists who participated in the October 7, 2023, massacre, in exchange for a temporary truce and release of hostages, according to an unsourced report by the Kan Public Broadcaster.

The terror group has not listed the individual prisoners it seeks to free, but for the first time since negotiations began it requests that members of its elite Nukhba force, the commando unit which spearheaded the October 7 attack, be released among other Palestinian prisoners, according to Kan.

A non-Israeli source involved in mediation efforts for a truce told The Times of Israel earlier today that Hamas’s proposal included trading 10 hostages for 200 security prisoners serving life-sentences, as well as 2,000 Gazans detained by Israel since October 7, without specifying if those prisoners include Nukhba terrorists.

According to the source, mediators believe that Hamas views the demand for 200 prisoners as an opening position and may be willing to compromise.

Israel has proposed a lower offer to release 125 life-term prisoners and 1,200 post-October 7 detainees, according to Channel 12 news.