Hamas pushes for prisoner swap, warns of 'explosion' during Egypt visit

• Author: TZVI JOFFRE
• Published date: 06 October 2021
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

During a meeting with Egypt's Intelligence Minister Maj.-Gen. Abbas Kamel, the delegation discussed the situation in Jerusalem, including in Sheikh Jarrah and on the Temple Mount, as well as ways to "curb the behavior" of Israel in Jerusalem, the Hamas movement announced on Tuesday.

The delegation additionally discussed the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, with a focus on those being held in administrative detention, and pushed Egypt's role in reaching a prisoner exchange agreement, citing "intransigence" on Israel's side and a lack of progress on the issue.

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Hamas is still holding Israeli citizens Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, and the bodies of IDF soldiers St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin.

The Palestinian Safa News Agency reported on Tuesday that no breakthroughs were made concerning a prisoner exchange agreement during the meetings in Egypt. According to the report, the Hamas delegation warned that the situation could "explode" like it did in May during Operation Guardian of the Walls due to what it called "continuous Israeli violations and crimes" in Jerusalem and against prisoners, as well as the continuation of settlement building.

A source in the Hamas movement told al-Araby al-Jadeed on Tuesday that the delegation had informed Egypt that any truce agreement depends on the situation in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Israeli prisons, saying that this condition came "as a surprise" to the Egyptians, with Egyptian officials reportedly stating that linking these issues would be difficult.

The source added that the factions in Gaza also intend to "defend" Arab-Israelis, stressing the role they played during Operation Guardian of the Walls. According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, an Israeli delegation may visit Egypt in the coming days in order to be updated on efforts concerning a prisoner exchange deal.

While the Turkish Anadolu Agency and the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen reported on Tuesday that progress had been made in the talks concerning a calm agreement, Army Radio reported that a source in Hamas had said that no significant progress had been made.

The Commission for Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners Affairs warned on Sunday that the prisoner movement in Israeli prisons has decided to start "escalating steps" in light of what it called "unprecedented Israeli attacks" on Palestinian prisoners.

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