Hamas Israel Begin Indirect Talks Cairo Hostage Prisoner Exchange

Hamas and Israel are set to hold indirect talks in Cairo, mediated by Egypt, to discuss the release of hostages and prisoners based on US President Donald Trump's peace proposal. Hamas has expressed willingness to release all Israeli hostages and engage in negotiations, although internal divisions remain about disarmament, with political leaders more open to compromise than military commanders. Israel is preparing a list of Palestinian prisoners for potential release, and the talks aim to finalize details including prisoner exchange mechanisms and withdrawal lines for Israeli forces. Trump's envoy, accompanied by his son-in-law Jared Kushner, is actively involved in the mediation efforts to advance the peace plan, which includes a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. While Israel has agreed to apply the first phase of the plan, concerns persist about the feasibility of demilitarizing Gaza and the pace of negotiations. The upcoming Cairo meetings, with participation from Qatar and Egypt, are crucial for shaping the next steps toward a lasting peace agreement amid cautious optimism on both sides.