Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Friday told Turkish media that Egypt is currently mediating a new prisoner exchange deal between Gaza Strip's rulers and Israel.
The Islamism terrorist group is holding the remains of two Israeli soldiers, Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin, killed in the 2014 Gaza war, as well as Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu and Bedouin Israeli Hisham al-Sayed, both suffering from mental health issues, crossed into Gaza willingly in 2014 and 2015 and were captured by Hamas.
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Speaking with the Anadolu news agency, Haniyeh said he "welcomes the Egyptian role in reaching a new agreement and we hope to make some progress. Our Egyptian brethren are addressing many issues, including the attempt to reach Palestinian unity, easing the siege on the Gaza Strip, and a prisoner exchange."
Hamas is plagued by growing internal tensions over the nearing elections its leadership.
Sources familiar with Gaza politics said the statement may be a ploy by Haniyeh to gain political capital at the expense of the Israeli captives' families.
Others claim the negotiations are real as reaching such a deal would give Haniyeh a serious boon in the polls.
Haniyeh is facing longtime group strongman Khaled Mashaal – a former Hamas leader seeking to make a political comeback.
Mashaal's bid is supported by Qatar, where he resides, and Turkey, which offers top Hamas officials a safe haven in Istanbul.
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