Palestinian Islamist Resistance Movement Hamas Exchanges Lists of Hostages and Prisoners
The Palestinian Islamist resistance movement Hamas announced on Wednesday that it had exchanged lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be released as part of a prisoner exchange agreement. The movement expressed optimism about the ongoing discussions in Egypt regarding US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.
Ongoing Negotiations
Hamas added that the negotiations focused on mechanisms to end the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza, and the prisoner exchange agreement. A Palestinian source close to the negotiations indicated that the two parties had not yet agreed on a timeline for implementing the first phase of the Trump plan, which consists of 20 points, during the talks held in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.
US Involvement
On Tuesday, Trump expressed optimism about the progress made towards an agreement. A US team, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and special envoy for the Middle East during Trump's first term, will participate in the discussions on the plan, described as the closest to ending the war.
International Participation
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close associate of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is expected to join the discussions this afternoon, according to a Zionist official. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator, and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin will also participate in the ceasefire negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh today, according to well-informed sources.
Hamas Demands
Hamas demands a permanent and complete ceasefire, a total withdrawal of occupation forces, and the immediate launch of a comprehensive reconstruction process supervised by a "national technocratic authority" in Palestine. In return, Hamas is being asked to disarm, which the movement refuses to do.
US Priorities
US officials indicate that they initially want to focus on discussions about stopping the fighting and logistical arrangements for the exchange of Israeli hostages in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in occupied Palestinian territories.
