Hamas confirmed its commitment to the prisoner swap deal in a Cairo meeting, emphasizing adherence to the ceasefire agreement amid ongoing Israeli violations. Engagements with Qatari officials aim to address humanitarian needs and maintain the ceasefire. Progress has been reported in the negotiations, with multiple prisoner exchanges already taking place since the ceasefire began on January 19, 2025.
On February 13, 2025, Hamas reaffirmed its commitment to fully executing the prisoner swap agreement as per the established timeline. This confirmation came after a meeting in Cairo involving Hamas leaders, including Khalil Al-Hayya, and Egyptian intelligence officials. They mainly focused on the exchange of prisoners and adherence to the ceasefire agreement, especially considering ongoing Israeli violations.
Khalil Al-Hayya engaged in discussions with Qatari officials, including Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, to facilitate the negotiations. The Hamas delegation interacted with various stakeholders in Egypt and Qatar, including technical teams overseeing the agreement’s execution. Emphasis was placed on fulfilling obligations relating to housing displaced families and providing essential humanitarian aid as stipulated in the agreement.
The negotiations reportedly progressed positively, with assurances from Egyptian and Qatari mediation teams addressing potential challenges. An official source confirmed that both Egypt and Qatar have effectively removed barriers to sustaining the ceasefire in Gaza. Subsequent reports indicated a reciprocal commitment from Israel towards the agreement following Hamas’s cooperation with its terms.
Since the ceasefire, which was brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States on January 19, over 15 months of conflict have ceased, resulting in significant losses with more than 48,000 Palestinians killed. Under this ceasefire framework, a total of 766 Palestinian prisoners and 21 captives—including 16 Israelis and 5 Thai nationals—have been exchanged through five prisoner swaps, with the latest occurring on February 8, 2025.
Hamas has reiterated its commitment to a prisoner exchange agreement as part of a broader ceasefire arrangement, which was negotiated with Egyptian and Qatari involvement. The focus on implementing humanitarian needs and addressing ceasefire milestones highlights ongoing tensions and the need for cooperative dialogue. The successful exchanges thus far indicate a developing trust between involved parties, pivotal for long-term peace efforts in the region.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
