As President Donald Trump moves closer to finalizing his 20-point initiative to end the Gaza conflict, an Israeli family has raised alarm over the inclusion of notorious Hamas prisoners in the proposed prisoner exchange. The plan, which envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of all hostages, and a major prisoner swap, has drawn criticism from victims’ families, who fear that releasing these individuals could lead to further bloodshed. Dr. Michael Milshtein of Tel Aviv University, a leading Israel expert on Hamas, highlights the potential risks, noting that past exchanges have allowed some released prisoners to rejoin Hamas leadership. Among the most controversial names is Jamal Al-Hur, a high-ranking Hamas member with connections to multiple terrorist attacks, including the murder of Sharon Edri. The Edri family, who lost their loved one to Al-Hur’s actions, is now urging the Israeli government to block his release for the threat he poses. Despite the risks, Milshtein acknowledges that Israel may have no choice but to make these compromises to secure peace.
Dr. Milshtein, who has analyzed the release list closely, warned that the prisoners in question represent a real strategic danger due to their roles in past attacks. He cited examples like Abbas al-Sayed, implicated in the 2002 Park Hotel bombing that killed 30 people, and Ibrahim Hamed, a former Hamas military commander, both serving over 40 years in prison. The release of such high-profile individuals has already sparked outrage, with the family of Sharon Edri expressing deep concern over Al-Hur’s inclusion on the list. Their nephew, Izzy Karten, emphasized that Al-Hur should not be released due to the danger he still poses, despite the family’s overall hope for the hostages to return home.
Additionally, Israel faces another challenge: Hamas’s demand to release about 90 members of its elite