Israel and Hamas have made progress in negotiations over a prisoner swap deal in light of the coronavirus pandemic crisis, Arab media reported on Sunday.
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Gaza's ruling faction Hamas is believed to hold captive two Israeli citizens as well as the remains of two Israeli soldiers.
Staff Sgt. Oron Shaul and Lt. Hadar Goldin were killed in the Gaza Strip in separate battles during Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. 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.
According to reports, the breakthrough in talks ensued due to the spread of COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip, and the authorities' growing fears that the situation could get out of hand without further external aid.
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According to Channel 12 News, the parents of deceased Lt. Hadar Goldin, Lea and Simcha, congratulated Sunday the "humanitarian deal with Gaza in the fight against coronavirus, under which Hadar and Oron will return home."
This article was first published by i24NEWS
