Overview

• Haaretz, citing Qatari outlet Al Araby, reports the sides agreed on which Palestinian prisoners would be freed as part of a deal to end the war.
• The report says 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 22 minors are expected to be released, while Israeli officials have stated Marwan Barghouti will not be freed.
• Hamas has pressed for the release of marquee figures including Marwan Barghouti, Abdullah Barghouti, Ibrahim Hamed, Ahmad Sa’adat, Hassan Salameh and Abbas al-Sayed.
• Israel views those prisoners as convicted masterminds of deadly attacks and has resisted freeing them in past swaps, citing security risks and the precedent of Yahya Sinwar’s 2011 release.
• Additional reported Hamas conditions include releasing captured Nukhba members and the bodies of leaders, as well as guarantees of Israeli withdrawal and sequencing of hostage releases that could complicate talks.