Egypt Daily News – The negotiations between Hamas and Israel have entered critical stages, as the terms of the final agreement are expected to be formulated in the coming days, amid intense pressure to calm the situation and stop the military escalation in the Gaza Strip.
A source close to Hamas said that the movement’s delegation, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, handed the head of Egyptian intelligence, Major General Hassan Rashad, a preliminary list of names of Israeli hostages, including 5 with American citizenship, whom Hamas will release once an agreement is reached. It was reported that they are 18 elderly Israeli hostages as well.
In return, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners, including more than 100 who have been sentenced to a large number of years, according to the source, who explained that “this step, if implemented by Israel, will constitute the first phase of the hostage exchange agreement, and it is part of a broader agreement for a gradual ceasefire, which will “Includes an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.”
He pointed out that if Israel agrees, the ceasefire agreement will begin under the supervision of mediators for 60 days, including the exchange of detainees and the entry of aid trucks, which will be gradually increased to 400 trucks.
He also pointed out that the occupation army will withdraw from the cities and camps of the Gaza Strip, but will remain in the Philadelphia and Netzarim axes and 6 border points in the north of the Strip, and then withdraw gradually, with the gradual return of the displaced according to each area from which it withdraws.
Egypt, as well as Hamas, rejects Israel remaining in the Philadelphia axis linking Sinai and the Gaza Strip.
The agreement also includes the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Rafah crossing area to provide the opportunity to gradually restart it, starting with transporting the injured and sick for treatment abroad, and bringing the field hospital from Egypt, including fuel to operate hospitals, civil defense, and bakeries.
Sources, said that the agreement talks had reached the stage of exchanging the names of hostages through mediators, as the release of 18 living Israeli hostages and 5 bodies which was proposed in the first phase of the deal.
Last week, the Fatah and Hamas agreed to form a community support committee for the Gaza Strip, to manage the affairs of the Strip the next day the war stops, to include 15 members known for their integrity and experience, and it will continue until the reasons that led to its formation disappear, or until general elections are held or the approval of the another nationally agreed upon format.
