IIn a cafe on a dusty roundabout in the small West Bank town of Silwad, the men sit playing cards, one eye fixed on a large television screen showing the latest news from Gaza. There is silence when there is mention of a possible ceasefire agreement and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons.
“Nobody tells us anything officially. We saw about the agreement on the news. So all we know is that our brother may be released,” said the younger brother, Tayer, said Akram Hamad, 45, a blacksmith serving a life sentence. 7 Israeli soldiers and 3 civilians shot dead In 2002, at a checkpoint near Sirwad. Otherwise, he will spend the rest of his life behind bars. ”
Analysts say the issue of freeing Palestinians from Israeli prisons is central to a deal that could halt the war in Gaza, even temporarily.
“Prisoners of war are seen as a major rights issue for Palestinians and a major security issue for Israel. However, while this is one of the most contentious issues, it is clear that we are willing to compromise. It is also something that can be done.” Dr. Julie Normanassociate professor of political science at University College London and author of a book on Palestinian prisoners of war.
After weeks of fruitless negotiations, news came Friday of new demands from Hamas and an announcement that an Israeli delegation would visit Qatar to rejoin indirect talks brokered by Gulf states. Ta.
Hamas has dropped its demands on Israel to release all of the more than 9,000 Palestinians held in its prisons, rights activists said. But the Islamic extremist group is now seeking the release of between 400 and 1,000 “general prisoners” as well as 57 people convicted of serious crimes, including multiple murders, a Palestinian official told the Guardian. Told.
Hamas killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted about 240 people in an attack on Israel in October.More than 100 people taken to Gaza released A brief ceasefire in November had 240 detainees, mostly teenage boys. awaiting trial Or they were detained without charge but released by Israel.
Israeli authorities say 134 hostages are still being held in the Gaza Strip, and that around 30 may have died.
Norman said the release of the prisoners was “probably the bitterest pill for the Israelis.”
“They don’t want to reciprocate Hamas’ actions and they don’t want to release people who could harm them in the future,” she says. “Part of the purpose of the October 7th attack was to force the release of prisoners, which is one of the most politically significant things such an organization can accomplish.”
Palestinian officials say Hamas intends to free 40 hostages, including women, men under 19 and over 50, and sick people.
Hamas wants a cease-fire that would lead to a definitive end to Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 31,000 people, according to local health officials, but would not allow the initial He plans to accept a 40-day suspension. During hostilities.
Other demands include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the injection of more humanitarian aid into the region, and the return of all displaced people from the devastated north of the region.
“Hamas does not want to accept defeat at the negotiating table unless it loses on the battlefield,” said Kadula Fares, head of the Palestinian Authority’s Prisoners of War Affairs Committee based in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.
“When you think about Palestinian spirituality, prisoners of war are very important…There is a tradition of solidarity with those who make sacrifices. When you get freedom after a long sentence, you are bringing back the dead. It creates hope.”
Eight prisoners released during the November ceasefire are back in prison.
One was Obeida Hamad, who served 17 months in administrative detention without charge before being released, but was rearrested by Israeli forces three weeks ago after a 4am raid on her home in Silwad.
Badriya Hamad, the 19-year-old’s mother, said her son had not been involved in any illegal activity since his release and was afraid to return to the prison where he had endured harsh conditions.
“He was in such shock. They told him to get dressed and take the medication he needed, then handcuffed him and took him away. We haven’t heard anything since. No charges were filed. “I don’t know what he did wrong because I didn’t do it,” she said.
Tara Nasir Attorney Adamer Campaign groups based in the West Bank said the rearrest of released prisoners led to issues of trust. “The Israelis are trying to imprison as many Palestinians as possible to prevent them from speaking out. They are also bargaining chips,” she said.
Israeli authorities did not comment when contacted about Hamad’s re-arrest.
Palestinian officials say Hamas negotiators are seeking guarantees that freed prisoners will not be immediately returned to prison, partly due to the new detentions.
This may be difficult for Israelis to admit. The 57 most serious criminals whose freedom Hamas is demanding include the mastermind behind the hotel and shopping mall bombings that killed 65 Israelis, considered part of Israel’s deadliest terrorist attack; , including the plotters of Israeli assassinations. Minister.Another is serving 54 life sentences for organizing. Suicide bomber killed 46 Israelis.
Reaching a deal leading to the release of such prisoners could bring about the collapse of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government.poll show Deep-rooted opposition among Israelis But Prime Minister Netanyahu is also under pressure to secure the freedom of the surviving hostages.
Israeli commentators have repeatedly warned those held in Gaza that “time is running out” as freed hostages describe harsh conditions. sexual violence And limited food.
Hamas also wants the freedom of 15 prisoners who Israel refused to release during negotiations for the release of abducted soldiers captured in Gaza in 2011.
The agreement resulted in the release by Israel of more than 1,000 prisoners, including Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the mastermind behind the militant group’s October attack.
Ramallah officials said the 15 people included Marwan Barghouti, one of the most popular Palestinian politicians and a convicted murderer who has spent more than 20 years in prison. There is. The 64-year-old is a member of the rival Fatah party and is seen as a possible presidential candidate.
Analysts say his demands for freedom are politically important and that Hamas wants to be seen as representative of all Palestinian factions and could ultimately accept Barghouti’s leadership. It says that it suggests.
Hamas will portray the release of any prisoners as a major victory. Analysts say the group’s popularity has increased significantly since the November deal, and its effectiveness will increase proportionately as more prisoners, including leaders like Barghouti, are released. .
“That would be a huge win both in the short and long term,” Norman said.
There are high expectations for Silwad. One card player at the cafe said on condition of anonymity: “There is not a single family here that doesn’t have someone in prison. Everyone has a friend, a cousin, a brother in prison. One day they will all be released.”
