Al Jazeera airs new footage of IDF soldier during his time in Gaza cell, as recording purporting to be of another captive calls for 'help' to return home; mother says not his voice
Report: Hamas, Israel getting closer to concluding prisoner swap deal
Palestinians celebrate as they wait for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Rafah, crossing in southern Gaza strip, on December 18, 2011. Israel released 550 Palestinian prisoners to complete a swap deal which brought about the release of captive soldier Gilad Shalit. [MAHMUD HAMS/AFP via Getty Images] June 3, 2021 at 12:25 pm
The chances of a prisoner exchange deal being completed between Israel and Hamas have increased over the past few days, a senior Israeli official said, explaining that Tel Aviv is now waiting for Egyptian mediators to convey Hamas offer to conclude the deal.
Egypt engineers visit Gaza to help with reconstruction
Head of the Egyptian Intelligence Service Abbas Kamil (R) meets Hamas Gaza chief Yahya Sinwar (L) in Gaza City, Gaza on 31 May 2021. [Ashraf Amra - Anadolu Agency] June 3, 2021 at 11:32 am
An Egyptian delegation made up of engineers and technicians were due to enter the besieged Gaza Strip yesterday to assess the extent of damage caused by the recent Israeli aggression as part of reconstruction efforts,
Quds Press reported.
The news agency quoted informed sources as saying that four engineers and three Egyptian technicians arrived at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing yesterday, in preparation for crossing into the Gaza Strip, adding that the engineers are due to bring in heavy machinery and equipment, including trucks, to help remove the rubble of destroyed homes.
Military says Jamal Tawil encouraged recent riots, was working to reform terror group's Ramallah headquarters; Hamas denounces the detention, vows to continue fighting