[News] US envoy open to talks but focused solely on prisoner exchange: Hamas

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/us-envoy-open-to-talks-but-focused-solely-on-prisoner-exchan> 



  US envoy open to talks but focused solely on prisoner exchange: Hamas

Al Mayadeen English
March 5, 2025
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The United States is holding talks to get two US captives held in Gaza 
released swiftly as the Israeli occupation obstructs the prisoner swap.

2d36434c-748f-4727-b20f-5faeb3f8390a.jpg

  * Freed Palestinian detainees are greeted after being released from an
    Israeli prison following a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the
    Israeli occupation, in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Thursday, Feb. 27,
    2025 (AP)

A senior Hamas official told *Al Mayadeen* that the recent meeting 
between a US envoy and Hamas representatives left the American side with 
a "positive impression" regarding the possibility of negotiations 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli--qatari-delegations-arrive-in-cairo-for-gaza-ceasefi> 
with the group.

However, the official noted that the US envoy focused solely on a 
potential prisoner exchange and did not address broader issues such as a 
ceasefire 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/biden-announces-ceasefire-deal-between-israelis--hamas> 
or an end to the ongoing war in Gaza.

"The American side did not present a specific framework for a prisoner 
swap but listened to Hamas's perspective on the matter," the official said.

The Palestinian resistance leader also revealed that the meeting took 
place at the request of the US and caught Israeli officials by surprise.


    Hamas urges pressure on 'Israel'

Hamas reaffirmed on Friday its full commitment to implementing all 
provisions of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement, in all its 
stages and details, as the first phase of the deal comes to an end.

In a statement, the Palestinian group called on the international 
community to pressure "Israel" to fully adhere to its commitments under 
the agreement and to immediately proceed with implementing its second 
phase 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-lists-israeli-violations-of-ceasefire--urges-second-ph> 
without any delays or evasions.

Meanwhile, two Egyptian security sources told/Reuters/that the Israeli 
delegation in Cairo is attempting to reach an agreement to extend the 
first phase of the deal for 42 days.

Hamas opposes any extension and insists on moving forward with the 
second phase of the agreement as initially outlined, the sources 
indicated. This phase is intended to include steps toward a permanent 
cessation of the war.


    'Israel' seeks to prolong first phase

The first phase of the ceasefire concluded on Saturday, and "Israel" and 
Hamas did not clarify what will occur if no new agreement is reached. 
Egypt and Qatar are mediating the negotiations with support from the 
United States.

Two Israeli government officials told/Reuters/that "Israel" is seeking 
to prolong the initial phase, proposing that Hamas release three 
captives per week in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees in 
Israeli prisons.

With just hours remaining before the first phase of the truce is set to 
expire, mediator Egypt announced on Thursday thatIsraeli, Qatari, and US 
delegations were in Cairo 
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli--qatari-delegations-arrive-in-cairo-for-gaza-ceasefi>for 
"intensive" negotiations on a second phase aimed at securing a permanent 
end to the war.

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday 
"instructed the negotiation delegation to depart for Cairo," his office 
said, shortly after Hamas handed over the remains of four captives in 
exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.

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