By Rounak Khare
Hamas has called for a swift hostage-prisoner exchange with Israel, ahead of the scheduled meeting in Egypt where the negotiators from both sides will indulge in crucial talks aimed at ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza.
According to a news report, Hamas is very keen to begin the prisoner exchange process in accordance with the field conditions, and end the war. This statement was made by a Hamas official to a news agency on the condition of anonymity. This diplomatic move follows the positive response of Hamas to the President of the United States Donald Trump’s roadmap for an end to the fighting and the release of captives in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in the prisons in Israel.
Foreign ministers claim that these talks are an opportunity to achieve a sustainable ceasefire. Macro Rubio, the US Secretary of State, has urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza ahead of the discussions in Egypt.
He stated in an interview with CBS that the hostages can’t be released amidst strikes.
The negotiators are set to meet in the Egyptian resort town, Sharm-Al-Sheikh. According to a news report, Cairo has confirmed that it would be hosting a delegation from Hamas for talks related to the ground realities, conditions and details of the exchange of all Israeli detainees and Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli Military Chief has released a warning stating that if the negotiations fail to achieve their aim of securing the release of hostages, the military will return to fighting in Gaza.
President of the United States of America, Donald Trump shared a post on Truth Social. The post states that the ceasefire will be immediately effective once Hamas confirms, and the hostages and prisoner exchange will begin. The USA will create the conditions for the next phase of withdrawal, according to the post by Donald Trump.