"Hostage Deals and Ceasefire Talks: The Central Role of Palestinian Prisoners in Gaza Negotiations"

The release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails has become a crucial aspect of the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, with Hamas dropping its demand for the release of all prisoners and now seeking the freedom of between 400 and 1,000 "ordinary prisoners", plus 57 convicted of serious crimes. The issue of prisoner release is seen as a major rights issue for Palestinians and a significant security concern for Israel. The potential release of prisoners, including leaders such as Marwan Barghouti, is considered a politically significant move that could have a substantial impact on the ongoing conflict.