Khalil al-Hayya, a member of the group’s political bureau, said that Hamas “is serious about releasing Israeli captives within the framework of an agreement” that also ensures the release of thousands of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
So to summarize: The Palestinian prisoners are referred to as prisoners by Hamas. The non combatants taken hostage by Hamas are not referred to as prisoners by Hamas.
Whether you think the terrorist organisation Hamas are paid off by Isreal or not is a different discussion that I’m not interested in taking part in.