Source Credit: AL JAZEERA
Hamas has announced a bold proposal to exchange all Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners in one comprehensive deal during the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. The proposal, aimed at cementing a permanent truce and facilitating a full Israeli withdrawal, includes the immediate release of the remaining six living captives—scheduled for this Saturday—as a demonstration of Hamas’s commitment to the ceasefire.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar confirmed that negotiations for the next stage of the deal are set to take place this week, indicating a potential breakthrough in longstanding tensions.
In parallel developments, Israeli forces have conducted raids in the occupied West Bank, arresting several Palestinians in Bethlehem and Tulkarem. Among those detained was a 14-year-old boy, with local reports indicating that dozens of others were held temporarily in the region. These actions come amid heightened security concerns and reflect the complex dynamics on the ground.
Meanwhile, in the northern Gaza Strip, striking scenes from Jabalia show Palestinians beginning to return to areas long ravaged by conflict. Eyewitnesses captured images of residents gathering at street vendor stalls, sitting by makeshift fires outside ruined homes, and navigating the rubble—a poignant reminder of the human cost of ongoing hostilities.
As the ceasefire negotiations continue, all eyes remain on the potential impact of this mass exchange proposal, which many hope could pave the way toward lasting peace in the region.
