Hostage Deal
Recovering the bodies of captives taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attacks is a key component of the ceasefire agreement that came into effect earlier this month, mediated by Egypt, the United States, Qatar, and Turkey.
Hamas disarmament is part of Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which includes a ceasefire, a prisoner swap agreement, and a surge in humanitarian aid deliveries in the first phase.
Israel also shelved previously planned punitive measures against Hamas, which had included cutting in half the number of aid trucks entering Gaza, Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday.
The foreign ministers voiced their full appreciation for Egypt’s wise and responsible leadership in facilitating negotiations that led to this historic agreement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.
Hamas affirmed their commitment to positive engagement with any proposals that lead to a permanent ceasefire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, an end to Palestinians’ suffering, and a serious prisoner exchange deal.
The letter argued that the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza could lead to fatalities among the dozens of captives still stuck there, urging a deal even at the cost of ending the war.
"I think something could come together within weeks... I think there is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans," Boehler said during an interview on CNN's "State of the Union."
Egypt has long stood as a pivotal mediator in the Middle East, leveraging its strategic position and diplomatic acumen to foster stability in the region.
"We are not interested in the collapse of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip; we are committed to its full implementation and ensuring that the occupation adheres to it completely," said spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanou on Thursday.
If confirmed, this message could end a series of conflicting US-Israeli statements regarding the number of captives needed to be released to avoid the collapse of the landmark agreement.
The Netzarim Corridor served to divide the Gaza Strip into northern and southern regions, blocking displaced Palestinians from returning to their homes in the north.
They highlighted that the deal aims to provide immediate relief to the long-suffering people of Gaza, as well as the captives and their families
Egypt calls for U.N. Security Council to investigate accusations that Qatar Paid ransom of up to $1 billion to "a terrorist group active in Iraq."
