Hamas seeks scaled-back release it can portray as victory as Israeli government weighs conflicting pressures over hostages
n a cafe on a dusty roundabout in the small West Bank town of Silwad, men sit and play cards, one eye on the large TV screen showing the latest news from Gaza. When there is any mention of a possible ceasefire deal – and so the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails – there is silence.
“The prisoners are seen as a huge rights issue for Palestinians and a major security issue for Israel. But though this is one of the most contentious issues, it’s also where we see a willingness to compromise,” saidAfter weeks of fruitless negotiations, news came in a quick flurry on Friday with a fresh set of demands from Hamas and an announcement that an Israeli delegation would travel to Qatar to rejoin indirect talks mediated by the Gulf state.
Other demands include the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, more humanitarian aid entering the territory and the return of all those displaced from the territory’s ruined northern parts. Badriya Hammad, the 19-year-old’s mother, said her son had not been involved in any illegal activities since his release and he had dreaded going back to prison, where he had endured harsh conditions.
Agreeing to a deal that leads to the release of such prisoners may fracture the coalition government of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister. Polls showIsraeli commentators have repeatedly warned of “time running out” for those held in Gaza, with released hostages describing harsh conditions,
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