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Gaza ceasefire agreement

The ceasefire in Gaza seems to be largely holding as both Hamas and Israel get ready to exchange prisoners and captives ahead of a visit to the region by US President Donald Trump. Hamas is to hand over twenty living Israeli captives along with the bodies of twenty-eight others on Monday. Preparations are underway in Gaza's Deir al-Balah, as rows of buses are seen in front of the Red Cross offices, ahead of the prisoner swap. The Red Cross has been receiving list of Israeli captives to be freed, who will then be taken to a military base south of the occupied territories. In return, Israel will release about 2,000 Palestinian abductees. They include nearly 250 Palestinians serving long prison sentences and around 1,700 others kidnapped during the Gaza genocide. Ahead of his departure for Israel, Trump told reporters that the war in Gaza is over, and the ceasefire will hold. Hamas security forces have been deployed in Gaza to deal with armed gangs and those cooperating with Israel. Trump is due to arrive in Israel on Monday, before traveling to Sharm el-Sheikh in Egypt for a summit on ending the Gaza war.

‘Israel stalling peace talks’

Two senior Hamas officials have issued serious warnings over Israel's attempts to obstruct the agreement aimed at ending the war in Gaza and facilitating a prisoner exchange. They urged ceasefire mediators to pressure the regime to honor its commitments. Ghazi Hamad accused Israel of manipulating prisoners’ lists and stalling the peace process. He said Hamas is cooperating with mediators to finalize the agreement carefully, urging strict monitoring of Israel’s conduct. Hamad said Hamas seeks a full cessation of the war, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, a prisoner exchange, and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He added that Hamas’s response to the deal will depend on Israel’s commitment to its obligations. Another Hamas official, Mohammed Nazzal, said the group has not yet received the final list of Palestinian prisoners slated for release. He stressed that Hamas will not allow Israel to evade its responsibilities under the agreement. Nazzal also rejected the notion of the resistance surrendering its weapons, saying this would only occur after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

Sharm el-Sheikh Gaza Summit

Iran's foreign minister says Tehran will not take part at any level in the forthcoming summit on the future of the Gaza Strip in Egypt’s resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh. Abbas Araghchi said Iran favors diplomatic engagement. However, the minister added, neither President Masoud Pezeshkian, nor he can engage in talks with countries that have attacked the Iranian people and continue to threaten and sanction the country. He was referring to US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during Israel’s 12-day war of aggression, and sanctions targeting the country’s economy and energy. Araghchi, however, reaffirmed that Iran welcomes any initiative that ends Israel’s genocide in Gaza and ensures the withdrawal of its forces. Highlighting the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, Araghchi said all countries must assist them in their lawful and legitimate cause. He stressed that, unlike Israel, Iran is not after Forever Wars, but seeks Forever Peace, Prosperity, and Cooperation. Araghchi also thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi for officially inviting Iran to attend the Summit.

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