Hamas is willing to negotiate over the release of captive soldiers, the terrorist organization said on Monday.
The subject has not yet been included in ceasefire discussions, however, and different conditions would be attached to the release of soldiers than those regarding civilians.
This would be a major step by the terrorist organization that perpetrated the October 7 massacre, as international pressure is far more focused on the release of civilians than it is of IDF soldiers.
According to international law, soldiers held by Hamas are seen as prisoners of war, while civilians are hostages. Their value in terms of exchange is therefore very different.
Ceasefire as a means of advancement?
Hamas, in the meantime, is said to be using the ongoing ceasefire as an opportunity to move hostages it is holding in captivity to different locations, CNN reported on Monday.
Multiple reports in Israeli and international media claimed that Hamas was struggling desperately to procure hostages that were being held by other terror organizations in the Gaza Strip.