Hamas demands release of 194 Palestinians held in Israeli jails

Tel Aviv (Uttam Hindu News): The Hamas terrorist group has demanded the release of 194 Palestinians held in Israeli jails in exchange for Israeli hostages. An Israeli Foreign Ministry source told IANS that Hamas’s demand is specifically for women and children held in Israeli jails. Informed officials said that but the Israeli government has not accepted any such demand.

According to sources, Qatari mediators have suggested releasing 50 hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7. But Israel has not agreed to this.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the developments, saying they were just rumors and there had been no discussion on a possible prisoner exchange.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Yoav Galant said on Thursday that the only way for Hamas to release hostages taken after the October 7 attack is to put more military pressure on the terrorist group. According to Israeli officials, 238 people are being held captive in Gaza, including Israelis and foreign citizens.

Some media reports claim that about 30 of the hostages are children. Since the war began, Hamas has released four civilian hostages, while one female soldier was rescued by Israeli forces. On Tuesday, Israeli sources confirmed that a soldier captured by Hamas has been killed. The terrorist group claimed he was one of 57 hostages killed in ongoing Israeli air strikes in Gaza.