Breakthrough Expected in Prisoner Exchange Following Dispute Resolution
As the Gaza ceasefire reaches its 26th day, efforts intensify to resolve key disputes between Hamas and Israel, with international pressure and threats of escalation.
Watan-As the Gaza ceasefire enters its 26th day, anticipation grows over the outcome of mediation efforts to resolve key issues between Hamas and Israel. Egyptian sources have reported that a breakthrough seems imminent, with the ceasefire agreement being stabilized and prisoner releases from both sides set to resume. The sources also noted that mediation has successfully addressed some of the ongoing concerns thus far.
Meanwhile, the Hebrew website Walla reported, citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, that Israel has conveyed a message to Hamas through the mediators, stating that it will continue to implement the agreement on its side if Hamas adheres to it and releases the three Israeli detainees by Saturday.
The website added that the Israelis, alongside the mediators, are working to resolve the issue of the three detainees’ release to avoid the collapse of the agreement and ensure the release of the remaining 17 detainees under the first phase of the deal.
In a recent statement, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant threatened to return to war unless Hamas releases the detainees in Gaza by Saturday. After a meeting with the army, he said: “If Hamas does not release the Israeli hostages by Saturday, hell will open up to them, as promised by the U.S. president,” adding that “a new war in Gaza will be more intense than the one that preceded the ceasefire (…) It will also allow for the implementation of U.S. President (Donald) Trump’s plan in Gaza.”
This comes as Arab official efforts continue to counter Trump’s Gaza plan. On Wednesday evening, the Egyptian presidency announced that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi received a phone call from Jordan’s King Abdullah II, during which both sides stressed the “importance of immediately starting the reconstruction process in Gaza, without displacing the Palestinian people from their land.”
