Hamas demands release of 3,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel

Tel Aviv [Israel], February 4: Hamas has demanded that Israel release 3,000 Palestinian prisoners during their indirect talks on a fresh pause to fighting in the Gaza Strip, Al Arabiya news channel reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the talks.
Hamas wants the three-stage truce to include the release of Palestinian prisoners as a fourth stage, the sources told the broadcaster. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said on Friday that Israel had given a positive initial response to the newest truce proposal that would start with a six-week halt to fighting and include the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas. The truce proposal was agreed in Paris in late January by Israel, the United States, Egypt and Qatar. (Sputnik)
Source: Qatar Tribune