Israel’s hostage negotiating team is in “constant contact” with Egypt and Qatar, which are in touch with Hamas, an official in the Prime Minister’s Office tells The Times of Israel.
A diplomat based in the Gulf tells Haaretz that Hamas surprised Israel and the mediators by demanding the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences for each of the living Israeli hostages, instead of 20.
Israel released 30 lifers and 20 other Palestinian prisoners in January to free five Israeli female surveillance soldiers.
“It’s not over yet, and it hasn’t blown up,” the diplomat says, referring to talks between Israel and Hamas.
Israel recalled its negotiating team for consultations after Hamas gave its answer to a Qatari ceasefire proposal on Thursday.
At the same time, an Israeli team has been in Cairo for the last two weeks discussing the humanitarian aid influx into Gaza that started in recent days, an Egyptian diplomat tells The Times of Israel.
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