Hamas Demands Release of 6,000 Palestinians in Exchange for Hostage Release

Hamas "200-250 Hostages"
Israeli Military Also Identifies 199 Hostages

The Palestinian armed faction Hamas demanded the release of 6,000 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel in exchange for freeing hostages abducted during a surprise attack on Israel.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 16th (local time), according to Russian TASS news agency and others, former Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said on Al Arabi TV, "More than 6,000 Palestinian men and women are imprisoned in Zionist (Jewish nationalist) jails," adding, "We will release Israeli prisoners in exchange for them."

A spokesperson for Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed that there are between 200 and 250 hostages in the Gaza Strip, with the Al-Qassam Brigades controlling about 200 of them and other factions controlling the rest.

On the same day, Hamas released a video on their Telegram channel showing a woman believed to be a hostage. The Israeli military announced in a press briefing that the number of hostages abducted by Hamas had increased to 199 after further verification. This is 44 more than the previously reported 155 by the Israeli military.

Among those believed to be held dispersed throughout the Gaza Strip are children, elderly people, and patients with chronic illnesses.

In 2011, Israel released 1,000 Palestinian prisoners to secure the release of soldier Gilad Shalit, who had been held captive by Hamas for five years.

At that time, there was controversy within Israel over the release of about 1,000 Hamas detainees, seen as an excessive concession. Major foreign media report that with hundreds of hostages currently held by Hamas, negotiations similar to those at that time seem impossible.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.