HAMAS agrees to gradual release of Palestinians jailed in Israel

Palestine’s radical Hamas movement signaled its consent to gradual release of Palestinians from Israeli prisons as part of a new deal to free Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip, the Al Hadath television said, reported from TASS.

According to the report, the signal came as part of a new initiative forged during the latest meeting in Paris.

It is expected that during the first phase of the agreements, Hamas "will not demand the release of individuals sentenced to lengthy prison terms."

Until recently, Hamas leaders stated that they will negotiate the release of hostages held in Gaza only if a number of its conditions are met, including the simultaneous release of all Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

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