Coronavirus: Long-awaited Israel-Hamas prisoner swap could happen

Analysts say long-stalled negotiations could be given fresh impetus by the coronavirus pandemic

The Erez border crossing into Gaza, seen here from the Palestinian side. AFP

Long-stalled negotiations on a prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas could be given impetus by the coronavirus pandemic and the formation of a new Israeli government, analysts say.

A deal, which would be the first in almost a decade, is not yet close but significant steps have been taken in recent weeks, said a Hamas source.

Israel has not confirmed that it is holding talks with Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since 2007, but recent media reports suggested the two sides were close to an agreement.

Germany and Russia are reportedly involved in the talks, along with traditional mediator Egypt.

Since Israel's 2014 invasion of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, the group has held the bodies of Israeli soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin, although Hamas has not confirmed their deaths.

Hamas is also believed to be holding two Israeli citizens who entered Gaza alone and whose families said they had mental health issues.

Israel, meanwhile, is holding more than 5,000 Palestinians in its jails.

In the most recent prisoner swap, in 2011, Hamas and Israel brokered a deal that led to the release of more than 1,000 Palestinians in exchange for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured five years earlier.

In early April, Yahya Sinwar, head of Hamas in Gaza, claimed he was especially concerned about humanitarian conditions in Israeli prisons during the coronavirus pandemic and was ready to negotiate.

Mr Sinwar is a former inmate of Israeli jails and was freed in the 2011 exchange.

Israeli authorities have identified about 16,500 coronavirus patients, including 252 deaths. More than 350 people have been infected in the Palestinian territories – 20 of them in Gaza.

Mr Sinwar's comment was interpreted by Israel as indicating a new willingness to broker a deal, said Kobi Michael, a senior fellow at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, who specialises in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

There are also hopes Israel's new unity government could help accelerate talks.

After more than a year of stalemate, the country will swear in a new government on May 13 – with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz agreeing to share power.

For the initial 18 months, centrist former army chief Mr Gantz will serve as defence minister, taking over from hardline right-winger Naftali Bennett, who had opposed negotiations with Hamas.

"A deal might be easier to reach if a new government is formed because of the composition of the security cabinet," Mr Michael said.

A talked-about first step could lead to Israel releasing some elderly and sick prisoners jailed for minor crimes in return for Hamas providing information about the two Israeli civilians and confirmation that soldiers Shaul and Goldin are dead.

A Hamas official close to the negotiations said there had been progress in recent weeks but the sides were still some distance apart.

"There is a step on which to build and it needs moves from [Israel] to complete the deal," he said.

The Hamas official said so far Israel was offering the release of dozens of prisoners held on minor charges, but that Hamas was demanding more, including freedom for some inmates serving longer sentences.

Hamza Abu Shanab, a Palestinian analyst and researcher on Hamas affairs, said the "Sinwar initiative" showed Hamas was demonstrating increasing "flexibility" towards Israel.

"Both sides are seriously occupied in negotiations over the deal and willing to make concessions," said Mr Michael.

"I think that under the current circumstances and atmosphere of the coronavirus crisis, we are closer than before."

Israel has for 13 years maintained a blockade on Gaza that it said was necessary to isolate Hamas, which it considers a terrorist group, but critics said it punishes and impoverishes all two million residents.

The last prisoner-swap deal is still controversial among Israelis, many of whom believe too high a price was paid.

Rockets and mortars are often fired from Gaza towards Israel, which responds with air strikes.

Mr Michael said Israel would hope a prisoner exchange could lead to a wider truce that will ensure calm.

"If both sides reach such an agreement, they'll be able eventually to reach to a broader security agreement that will last a couple of years."