Post by : Rameen Ariff

Hamas announced on Wednesday that it has exchanged lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as part of a potential swap deal. The group expressed optimism about ongoing negotiations in Egypt regarding US President Donald Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza.

The discussions in Sharm el-Sheikh are focused on halting the conflict, withdrawing Israeli forces from Gaza, and finalizing the prisoner swap deal. A Palestinian source close to the talks said that the timeline for implementing the first phase of Trump's 20-point initiative has not yet been agreed upon.

Trump expressed hope for progress on Tuesday, coinciding with the second anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel, which led to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. A US team, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and former Middle East envoy Jared Kushner, is participating in the negotiations to facilitate a ceasefire and the safe release of hostages.

Officials from all sides have urged caution about the prospects for a rapid agreement. Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was scheduled to join the talks on Wednesday. Key mediators include Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin.

Hamas has demanded a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the immediate start of Gaza’s reconstruction under a Palestinian "national technocratic body." Israel, on the other hand, insists that Hamas must disarm, a condition the group has rejected.

US officials indicated that initial discussions are expected to focus on halting the fighting and organizing the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

Meanwhile, Israel has continued its military operations in Gaza, worsening its international isolation. Humanitarian organizations report that nearly the entire population of Gaza has been displaced, and a severe food crisis has emerged. Multiple human rights experts and UN inquiries have described the situation as potentially constituting genocide, though Israel maintains its actions are self-defense following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

According to Gaza authorities, Israel’s offensive has killed approximately 67,000 people in Gaza. The attack in 2023 by Hamas led to 1,200 deaths in Israel and the taking of 251 hostages.

#world news #Global News