TEL AVIV, November 15. /TASS/. Israel and the radical Palestinian movement Hamas are considering exchanging hostages on the basis of the ‘children-for-children’ formula proposed during the talks, the Israeli state broadcaster Kan reported, citing sources.

The proposal was made during the talks mediated by Qatar and the United States. According to the sources, it involves the release of Israeli children held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinian children held in Israel. The broadcaster pointed out that negotiations are still ongoing and no final agreement has been reached.

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking over 200 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.