Breakthrough Imminent
Deal on the Horizon? Israel Finalizes Extensive Preparations for the Immediate Reception of Hostages
Senior officials from all sides, including the US, Turkey, and now Islamic Jihad, have joined the third day of negotiations in Egypt, with Hamas prioritizing the release of master terrorist Marwan Barghouti and an Israeli official reporting cautious progress toward completing the first phase.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas entered their third day in Sharm el-Sheikh with a heightened level of participation, signaling growing momentum. On Wednesday, the negotiating rooms were joined by a host of high-level figures, including US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, Israeli Minister Ron Dermer, and the head of Turkish Intelligence.
Crucially, an official from Islamic Jihad confirmed to Al Jazeera that delegates from their organization, along with the Popular Front, have also joined the talks, claiming they "seek to reach an agreement that will lead to the end of the war." The Secretary-General of Islamic Jihad, Ziad al-Nakhala, previously stated that the resistance had expressed a willingness to negotiate on a positive basis, with the first clause, the prisoner exchange, being a clause that "can be completed in the coming days."
Hamas Demands Barghouti at the Top of the List
According to Egyptian media, Hamas has placed Marwan Barghouti at the top of its priority list for release in any hostage deal. Barghouti, who has been sentenced to five life sentences plus 40 years for his responsibility in the murder of five Israelis during the Second Intifada, is a highly symbolic figure to many Palestinians. His lengthy history in Palestinian politics includes being a member of the Communist Party and Fatah, being exiled to Jordan, and leading the Tanzim, Fatah's armed wing responsible for numerous attacks against Israelis.
The Qatari channel Al-Arabi reported that the current negotiations are focused on a detailed discussion of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and that the list of prisoners handed over by Hamas includes both Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Sa'adat.
An Israeli senior official reported to Al-Arabiya that "We are cautiously approaching the completion of the first phase." The official noted that US President Donald Trump is applying pressure and that the "Arab position has unprecedented weight," although Israel is seeking to correct the withdrawal map for the first phase.
Taher al-Nunu, the media advisor to the head of Hamas’s political bureau, expressed optimism, saying the Hamas delegation showed the necessary positivity and responsibility to achieve the required progress. He added that an optimistic spirit prevails among everyone and that lists of captives for release were exchanged according to agreed criteria and numbers.
Israel Prepares for Hostage Return
In parallel with the diplomatic activity, Israel is making extensive preparations for the return of the captives. It was reported that the Israeli military has completed most of the preparations at the Re'im Camp in the Gaza Division to receive both living and deceased hostages. Preparations include setting up personal equipment, hygiene infrastructure, refreshing protocols, and preparing reception staff.
Additionally, the Ministry of Welfare has finalized preparations for receiving the returnees, focusing particularly on trauma-oriented care for fathers and their young children. Each hostage and their family will be assigned a dedicated social worker whose support is not time-limited. Severe cases are likely to be initially received at Soroka Hospital, while the Ministry of Health Director-General, Moshe Bar Siman-Tov, visited Sheba, Beilinson, and Ichilov hospitals to oversee readiness.
A senior White House official told Sky News Arabia that the technical negotiations have reached a critical stage, and American officials are optimistic about reaching an agreement soon.