Israel is negotiating with the Hamas terror organization for the release of prisoners, reports said.
According to reports from Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, Egypt is mediating the negotiation, in which Hamas would release footage of the three Israelis in their charge, in exchange for 55 terrorists who were released in the 2011 "Shalit deal" and were since rearrested for returning to terrorists activities and maiming or murdering additional Israelis and tourists.
Israel does not know if the three Israelis - Avraham Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed, and Juma Ibrahim Abu Ghanima - are dead or alive. All three are mentally ill and walked into Gaza by mistake.
Hamas is also holding the bodies of two IDF soldiers - Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul - who were killed in 2014's Operation Protective Edge, refusing to allow their families to find closure and give their loved ones a proper burial.
Meanwhile, Israel continues returning the bodies of terrorists to their families for burial.
Last month, Hamas denied reports that the terror organization was negotiating a prisoner exchange with Israel.
Meanwhile, the family of fallen IDF soldier Hadar Goldin insisted the Israeli government not give in to Hamas' demands. They also said they are doing their best "to convince the Israeli government to change the equation."
"We want the government to turn holding Israeli soldiers and civilians from a treasure to a burden for Hamas."