Hamas's priority in the hostage agreement is the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza.
The escalation of violence has intensified the suffering of the civilian population.
Sputnik The Palestinian movement Hamas has expressed its willingness to reduce the number of prisoners to be released as part of an agreement with Israel, provided that the Jewish state agrees to allow more Palestinian civilians to return to the northern Gaza Strip.
That's what the news portal Axios reported, citing an Israeli official and a source.
During negotiations in Doha last week, Qatari and Egyptian mediators communicated to Israeli negotiators that the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza is a top priority for Hamas, according to the report. The Israeli delegation, in turn, according to the portal, was surprised by the importance this represented for Hamas. However, Israel perceives this move by Hamas as politically motivated, as it could strengthen the movement's position as the governing body in the enclave, as well as deprive Israel of a point of influence in the next phase of negotiations, as indicated in the report. On Sunday, the news portal reported that the draft of a proposed ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip included the exchange of approximately 400 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel for 40 Israeli hostages. The draft agreement also contemplated a six-week pause in hostilities and a gradual return of Palestinians to the northern Gaza Strip.
The escalation of violence has intensified the suffering of the civilian population. It is estimated that since October 7, 2023, when the Hamas group attacked Israel with missiles, killing 1,1 Israelis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in response, have killed more than 30 Palestinians.