Post by : Rameen Ariff

Hamas has called for a rapid start to a hostage-prisoner swap with Israel as negotiators from both sides prepare for critical talks in Egypt aimed at ending nearly two years of conflict in Gaza. The diplomatic push comes after Hamas expressed a positive response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed roadmap, which seeks a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a gradual Israeli withdrawal.

The plan, endorsed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calls for hostilities to halt, hostages to be released within 72 hours, Hamas to disarm, and the administration of Gaza to be overseen by a transitional body. Hamas has demanded a swift start to the prisoner exchange process, emphasizing the urgency of ending the war and releasing captives held in Gaza.

Trump urged both sides to “move fast” in implementing the plan. He stated on Truth Social that the first phase should be completed this week, highlighting international support for ending the fighting and establishing long-term peace in the region. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also called on Israel to halt military operations in Gaza, noting that hostages cannot be released amid ongoing strikes.

Negotiators are set to meet in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on the eve of the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which left 1,219 Israelis dead, mostly civilians. Hamas’s chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, arrived in Egypt to lead the delegation, while Israel will send a team led by Netanyahu. Trump has also sent two envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, to mediate.

Hamas seized 251 hostages during the October 7 attack, of whom 47 remain in Gaza, with Israel reporting 25 deaths. In exchange, Israel is expected to release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and over 1,700 detainees arrested during the conflict.

Despite the plan, Israeli strikes continued across Gaza, killing at least 20 people on Sunday, including 13 in Gaza City, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. Thick smoke was seen over the skyline, though residents reported a slight pullback of tanks and military vehicles, suggesting a tactical move rather than a full withdrawal.

Hamas has expressed that it seeks a role in Gaza’s future governance, but the U.S. roadmap stipulates that Hamas and other factions will not be involved in post-war administration. The territory would instead be run by a technocratic body overseen by a transitional authority led by Trump.

Residents in Gaza have expressed hope that the negotiations and prisoner exchange will be completed quickly to end hostilities. “We want the prisoner exchange deal to be completed quickly so that Israel has no excuse to continue the war,” said Ahmad Barbakh, a local resident.

The ongoing conflict has caused massive casualties on both sides. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 67,139 Palestinians, according to health ministry figures in Gaza, while the United Nations considers the figures reliable.

The upcoming talks in Egypt are being viewed as a critical opportunity for peace, with international mediators urging both Hamas and Israel to act swiftly to release hostages, halt fighting, and begin steps toward a sustainable resolution in Gaza

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