According to the Egyptian state media Al-Cahra News, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas began on Monday in the Egyptian tourist city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Representatives of Hamas and Israeli officials are participating in the talks.
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The release of hostages has been prioritized in indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas that began in Egypt on Monday to implement a cease-fire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the Gaza war.
According to the Egyptian state media Al-Cahra News, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas began on Monday in the Egyptian tourist city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Representatives of Hamas and Israeli officials are participating in the talks.
Mediators from Egypt and Qatar are playing a facilitating role in the discussions. According to the Egyptian media, on Monday and Tuesday, as proposed in Trump's ceasefire plan, Hamas will release the remaining 48 hostages within 72 hours of the ceasefire agreement, and Israel will release about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners in return.
250 of the Palestinian prisoners received life sentences. Nepali student Bipin Joshi is among the 48 people under the control of Hamas. "Efforts are being made between the two sides to prepare a mechanism for the release of the hostages," Al-Cahra News wrote, quoting an Egyptian official. Hamas said it would be difficult to bring back the bodies of the 48 hostages killed within 72 hours.
US President Donald Trump has proposed a 20-point ceasefire plan to end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Both Israel and Hamas have informally agreed to Trump's proposal. Along with this, the possibility of release of 48 people including Nepali student Joshi has increased. Bipin, who came to Israel to study agriculture under the 'Learn and Earn' program, was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023 from the Alumim Kibbutz. On that day, 10 Nepali students were killed in an attack by Hamas. A video of Bipin being taken to the hospital with his head covered while being taken hostage by Hamas has been released. was story-broken. Since then, no information about him has been made public. According to Israel, only 20 of the 48 people under Hamas control are believed to be alive. According to the Nepali Embassy in Israel, no information about Joshi's latest condition has been made public.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has confirmed that talks have begun, saying Israel is "ready for all possibilities." "We are prepared for all scenarios and expect a successful conclusion to the talks," an official at the Prime Minister's Office told The Times of Israel. The Israeli team participating in the talks includes Mossad and Shin Bet officials, Netanyahu's foreign policy adviser Ofir Falk and hostage coordinator Gal Hirs. According to the progress of the talks, the Minister of Strategic Affairs, Ron Dermer, who is the main negotiator, is expected to participate this week.
Trump's ceasefire proposal also mentions the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. which Hamas accepted with conditions last week. According to reports, White House Middle East envoy Steve Wittkoff and President Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner are going to Egypt on Wednesday to put pressure on Israel and Hamas for an agreement.
Egyptian media, citing sources, said that Hamas is asking Israel for a guarantee that the soldiers will be returned after the release of the hostages. But there is extreme mistrust on both sides, according to international media citing a Palestinian official. There is extreme mistrust between both parties in the negotiations. Hamas and other groups fear that Israel may break off negotiations after the release of the hostages, the official said.
Majed Al-Ansari, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, said that the talks, which began on Monday, were intensive and careful discussions. The aim is to identify remaining obstacles in the agreement. This shows that all parties are moving towards an agreement," he told reporters in Doha on Wednesday.
