Al-Masry Al-Youm learned from several informed sources that Hamas has declared its commitment to keeping onto its “weapons of resistance” until the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The movement however expressed its complete willingness to lay down and store weapons and refrain from participating in governing Gaza, provided they remain within the Gaza Strip and that the Israeli army withdraws completely.
Sources told AlQahera News that Egypt has begun discussing the lists of Palestinian prisoners to be released under the exchange agreement.
AlQahera News reported that the lists of prisoners Hamas is demanding the release of include Marwan Barghouti, Ahmed Saadat, Hussein Salama, and Abbas al-Sayyed.
Sources familiar with the Sharm el-Sheikh negotiations said that the movement informed mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey of its conditions, and that the matter was conveyed to the Israeli delegation.
The success of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan hinges on a long-term ceasefire guaranteed by the US, they added.
Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey discussed with delegations from Hamas and Tel Aviv over the course of two days, during closed sessions, all the contentious points in Trump’s proposal, which require further clarification and guarantees.
The sources emphasized the need for a binding US declaration of a ceasefire to Israel.
Among the points discussed by the mediators, Hamas, and Israel are the withdrawal of Israeli forces in accordance with the “yellow line” defined by the US president in the withdrawal and ceasefire map, and the subsequent handover of prisoners.
The sources explained that the talks were not positive, as many issues remained vague and were conveyed in detail to the Israeli delegation after meetings with the Hamas delegation.
They added that the mediators informed the Israeli delegation that the issue of the movement’s weapons was a Palestinian matter, and that the administration of Gaza should be through a “Palestinian technocratic committee.”
Furthermore, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed that he would arrive in Cairo on Wednesday, and that he would be joined by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, to participate in the ceasefire negotiations.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that his country hopes to create the appropriate conditions for implementing the “Trump plan,” including the release of hostages and detainees, ensuring full access to humanitarian aid, and agreeing on preparations for Israel’s full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian political analyst Ibrahim al-Madhoun, closely associated with Hamas, said that Hamas believes negotiations cannot be conducted while Israel’s aggression continue, as this does not constitute a suitable or successful environment for any negotiations.
He warned that Israel seeks to disrupt these negotiations by refusing to withdraw and end the war.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
