‘Significant progress’ in negotiations to release Israelis held in Gaza: Israeli media

JERUSALEM (AA) – There has been significant progress in talks to release Israelis captured by Hamas, Israeli media reported Friday.

An informed source told the official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation Friday that there has been significant progress in talks to release the Israelis.

“There is significant progress in the deal to release Israeli hostages in Gaza, which may lead to the release of nearly 100 of them,” according to the source.

“It is estimated that families in the Gaza Strip are holding Israeli prisoners,” said the source.

Israeli Channel 13 reported Wednesday that Israel “is ready to consider releasing security (Palestinian) prisoners in exchange for a large and broad deal that includes the release of many of those kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza.”

The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, has expressed readiness for an exchange deal that includes all Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip, in exchange for all Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, which number more than 7,500.

Hamas has indicated a readiness to complete the deal in stages, but stressed that an agreement would not be completed under fire.

The families of Israeli prisoners are pressuring the government to conclude a deal that may include all prisoners in Israeli prisons.

Hamas is believed to be holding at least 242 people from Israel following its cross-border attack into Israeli territory on Oct. 7.

Israel responded by launching relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip — including hospitals, residences and houses of worship.

It has killed at least 11,078 Palestinians, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women.

The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,400, according to official figures.