The Palestinian group Hamas has expressed its willingness to provide information on the health of hostages, but in return it is demanding information on Palestinian prisoners, Hamas deputy political bureau chief Musa Abu Marzook said on Tuesday.
“If there is an agreement, we will provide information about the prisoners in Gaza, because we also need to receive information about our prisoners in Israeli jails,” he said. Marzook also noted that Palestinian prisoners are being held in difficult conditions, as Israel is withholding information and not allowing Red Cross representatives to visit them.
At the same time, he stressed that there are currently no negotiations to resolve the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
According to him, the Israeli side wants a prisoner exchange but is not seeking to stop the fighting, directing its forces to establish full control over Gaza.
“The problem is that Israel wants a prisoner exchange, but does not want to end the war,” the politician added.
On May 28, Hamas agreed to a proposal by US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to release 10 Israeli hostages and hand over the bodies of dead Israelis.
On the night of March 18, 2025, the Israel Defence Forces resumed strikes on the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the attacks were a consequence of Hamas’ refusal to accept the US plan to extend the ceasefire and release hostages.
The official truce between Israel and Hamas ended on March 1, but fighting did not resume thanks to the efforts of mediators seeking to bring the parties back to the negotiating table to resolve the situation in the Gaza Strip.
