Israeli government approves amendment to reserve list of prisoners in swap deal

Hebrew-language Channel 12 revealed early on Monday that the Israeli government approved a reserve list of five detainees from the Gaza Strip who would be released if changes are made to the main lists under the anticipated exchange deal.

According to the channel, the reserve list includes detainee Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, noting that he would only be released by a direct decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Katz, and only if the number of prisoners due to be freed is not met.

In a related development, the channel said urgent late-night telephone consultations were held, resulting in last-minute adjustments to the prisoner lists amid increasing political and security pressure.

A senior source in the Islamic Resistance Movement “Hamas” told Al Jazeera on Sunday evening that the movement is holding intensive contacts with mediators to improve the lists of Palestinian prisoners scheduled to be released under the exchange deal.

The source told Al Jazeera that mediators are still working to reach a final settlement on the lists, despite Israel’s continued rejection of some names.