Relatives Divided On Prospect Of Trading Gaza Hostages For Palestinian Prisoners

The Government of Israel is under growing pressure to exchange the estimated 229 hostages in the Gaza Strip for about 5,000 Palestinians – including Hamas militants – held in Israeli jails.

Families of the hostages gained prominent support on Sunday in their effort to persuade Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration to negotiate a swap with Hamas.

Some relatives delivered that message in a meeting with the prime minister on Saturday in Tel Aviv, where they have set up a camp opposite the defense ministry.

Is The Hostage Issue A “Priority” For The State?

On Sunday, Jackie Levy, three of whose relatives have been abducted, asked President Isaac Herzog to keep the hostages top of the political agenda.

The intensifying assault on Gaza, where the death toll has passed 8,000 – according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has swelled the chorus of calls to exchange.

Some families fear the military offensive could kill their loved ones through shelling or Hamas reprisals. Without offering verification, Hamas said up to 50 hostages have died in bombing.

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Why Have Some Relatives Been Opposing A Swap?

While some hostages’ relatives who favour a prisoner swap have gained influential support, some oppose any exchange deal that would include members of Hamas.

Militants freed in the 2011 swap for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit were involved in a surprise October 7 attack on several Israeli cities. More than 1,400 people were killed in the incident.

Ayelet Samerano, whose son Jonathan was abducted, expressed confidence in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) strategy, adding: “My army knows exactly what to do.”

What Has Been The Situation In Gaza Amid Blackouts?

Israel’s “second phase” of its war against Hamas has largely been kept from public view, with forces moving under darkness and a telecommunications blackout cutting off Palestinians.

While the phone and internet cuts appeared to ease on Sunday, telecoms provider Paltel said Israeli airstrikes again had knocked out service in parts of the enclave.

The outages have severely hampered rescue operations for casualties, with Palestinians in Gaza reporting an uptick in strikes in the early hours of Monday, according to Reuters.