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By Amir Daftari and Shane Croucher
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Hamas has said the "lists of prisoners to be exchanged were presented" at indirect negotiations with Israel as the two sides work through the details of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan to end the war in Gaza.
"The Hamas delegation has shown a positive and responsible attitude toward achieving the required progress and completing the agreement," said a statement released by Taher al-Nounou, media adviser to the head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, originally in Arabic.
Why It Matters
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has caused widespread devastation in Gaza, displacing millions and creating severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. Israel has also suffered from rocket attacks and ongoing security threats, highlighting the broader human and strategic toll on both sides.
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Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the fighting has far-reaching implications for regional stability, international diplomacy, and global security. Progress toward ending the violence and establishing a ceasefire could help prevent further civilian suffering and lay the groundwork for rebuilding and long-term stability in the region.
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What To Know
Hamas' statement continued: "The mediators are exerting great efforts to remove any obstacles ahead of steps to implement a ceasefire, and there is a spirit of optimism among all parties. The negotiations have focused on the mechanisms for ending the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners.
"Today, the lists of prisoners to be exchanged were presented, detailing those whose release is being demanded, according to the agreed-upon criteria and numbers. The indirect negotiations continue today, with the participation of all parties and mediators."
Negotiators are now focusing on establishing practical steps for a halt to the fighting and the logistics of a prisoner exchange. A Palestinian source close to the talks told Reuters that the timing of the first phase of President Trump’s 20-point initiative has not yet been finalized.
Competing Objectives
Hamas is pushing for a permanent ceasefire, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and immediate reconstruction overseen by a Palestinian “national technocratic body.” Israel insists on the disarmament of Hamas, a step the group says cannot happen until a free Palestinian state is established. U.S. officials are concentrating first on ending hostilities and coordinating the release of hostages and detainees.
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Humanitarian Crisis
The offensive has killed over 67,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and has left much of Gaza uninhabitable. Internal displacement, malnutrition, and disease are widespread, with nearly 95 percent of the population forced from their homes and most health facilities damaged or nonfunctional. Rights experts, scholars, and a U.N. inquiry have described the assault as amounting to genocide, while Israel maintains it is acting in self-defense following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
Despite optimism, officials caution that reaching a rapid agreement remains uncertain. The prisoner list exchange represents progress, but negotiations must continue to resolve disputes over timing, reconstruction, and security guarantees.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump: "We are very close to making a deal on the Middle East that will bring peace to the Middle East."
What Happens Next
Negotiations will continue as mediators work to implement a ceasefire, finalize the prisoner swap, and outline steps for long-term reconstruction. The presentation of lists is considered crucial in the effort to end the conflict.
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