Hamas is urgently calling for a rapid prisoner exchange with Israel as negotiators from both sides gather in Egypt. These critical discussions aim to bring an end to the nearly two-year conflict.
Several foreign ministers, including Egypt’s, have expressed optimism, characterizing these talks as a genuine opportunity to achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza.
A senior Hamas official, speaking anonymously, emphasized the group’s strong desire for an agreement to halt the war and swiftly initiate the prisoner exchange, aligning with the current ground situation.
This diplomatic effort follows the Palestinian militant group’s favorable reaction to a U.S. peace plan, spearheaded by President Donald Trump, which outlines the release of captives in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Talks are scheduled to take place in Sharm El-Sheikh, an Egyptian resort. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced hope that hostages currently held in Gaza might be released within a few days.
Netanyahu confirmed on Saturday that he had directed his negotiators to travel to Egypt to “finalize the technical details.” Cairo, in turn, announced it would host a Hamas delegation for discussions on the “ground conditions and specifics of exchanging all Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners.”
According to Egyptian state media, both parties are set to engage in indirect talks on Sunday and Monday, coinciding with the eve of the two-year anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attack that ignited the conflict.
The White House confirmed that Trump dispatched two envoys to Egypt: his son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East negotiator Steve Witkoff.
A Palestinian source close to Hamas stated that during communications with mediators, Hamas demanded a complete halt to Israeli military operations throughout the Gaza Strip, an end to all aerial, reconnaissance, and drone activities, and a withdrawal from Gaza City.
The source further added that, concurrently with Israel’s military halt, Hamas and other resistance factions would cease their own military operations.
Trump’s proposed plan suggests that Israel would release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, along with over 1,700 detainees from the Gaza Strip who were arrested following the October 7, 2023, onset of the war.
However, Trump issued a stern warning, stating he would “not tolerate delay” from Hamas and urging the group to swiftly agree to a deal, “or else all bets will be off.”
Posting on Truth Social, Trump announced that Israel had consented to an initial withdrawal line in Gaza, a detail that has reportedly been communicated to Hamas.
He further stated, “Once Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will become IMMEDIATELY effective, the Hostages and Prisoner Exchange will commence, and we will establish the conditions for the subsequent phase of withdrawal.” This message was accompanied by a map of the proposed line.
Netanyahu expressed confidence that “in the coming days, we will be able to bring back all our hostages… during the Sukkot holidays,” referencing the week-long Jewish festival starting Monday.
Strikes Continue Amidst Peace Efforts
Even with Trump’s urging for Israel to cease bombings, the nation has persisted with strikes on Gaza.
Footage from AFPTV captured thick plumes of smoke rising over the coastal territory on Sunday.
The Gaza civil defense agency, operating under Hamas, reported that Israeli strikes resulted in at least five deaths in Gaza City on Sunday morning, following multiple overnight attacks.
The agency also noted that on Saturday, nearly 60 individuals were killed in Israeli strikes, with 40 of those deaths occurring in Gaza City alone.
Defence Minister Israel Katz, in a Sunday speech, claimed that “the decision to occupy Gaza, the demolition of multi-storey buildings, and the intense IDF operations in the city have prompted the evacuation of approximately 900,000 residents to the south, placing immense pressure on Hamas and its supporting nations.”
Prior to the assault, the United Nations estimated that roughly one million people resided in the area.
Muin Abu Rajab, a 40-year-old resident of Gaza City’s Al-Rimal neighborhood, observed “a noticeable decrease in air strikes since last night. Tanks and military vehicles have slightly retreated, but I believe this is a tactical maneuver, not a full withdrawal.”
Hamas’s Future Role in Governance
Hamas maintains that it must have a voice in the future governance of the territory.
However, Trump’s peace roadmap explicitly states that Hamas and other factions should “not have any role in the governance of Gaza.” The plan also calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages within 72 hours, a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the disarmament of Hamas.
This proposal suggests that the territory’s administration would be managed by a technocratic body, operating under the supervision of a post-war transitional authority directly led by Trump.
Sami Adas, a 50-year-old resident living in a tent in Gaza City with his family, expressed his belief that “Netanyahu will not be able to evade this situation this time… (Trump) is the only one who can compel Israel to comply and end the war.”
The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, tragically led to the deaths of 1,219 people, predominantly civilians, based on official Israeli figures compiled by AFP.
Israel’s subsequent retaliatory offensive has resulted in at least 67,139 Palestinian deaths, according to figures from the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory, which the United Nations deems reliable.