Hamas demands release of Barghouti, Sa’adat, links deal to full withdrawal from Gaza

The second day of crucial negotiations between a Hamas delegation and mediators concluded on Tuesday evening in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.

During the talks, Hamas laid out its key demands, most notably linking the release of all 'Israeli' captives to a complete withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces from the Gaza Strip, securing binding international guarantees to end the war, and obtaining the release of prominent Palestinian leaders, including Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Sa’adat.

The developments come as delegations from Qatar, Turkey, and the United States continue to arrive in Sharm El-Sheikh for intensive meetings aimed at outlining the mechanisms and steps needed to implement the so-called “Trump Plan” to end the conflict.

Hamas Demands: Full Withdrawal in Exchange for All Captives

A senior Hamas source told Al Jazeera, a regional Arabic news outlet, that the delegation emphasized several key points during Tuesday’s negotiations:

• Phased linkage: The release of 'Israeli' captives should be tied to corresponding stages of the full withdrawal of 'Israeli' forces from the Gaza Strip.
• Final synchronization: The release of the last captive must coincide with the departure of the last 'Israeli' soldier.
• International guarantees: Hamas insists on binding international assurances for a complete ceasefire and full withdrawal.

In this context, Hamas expressed its readiness to hand over all captives in its custody, both those alive and the remains of the deceased, as part of a comprehensive agreement that meets these conditions.

Prisoner Lists: Barghouti, Sa’adat, and Salameh on the Table

Egyptian broadcaster Cairo News reported that discussions have begun regarding the list of Palestinian detainees Hamas is demanding be released from 'Israeli' jails.

According to the report, the list includes several high-profile figures, among them:

• Marwan Barghouti
• Ahmad Sa’adat
• Hassan Salameh
• Abbas al-Sayyid

International Push to Implement the “Trump Plan”

Diplomatic efforts continue in Sharm El-Sheikh as delegations from Qatar, Turkey, and the United States participate in meetings focused on implementing the Trump administration’s plan for ending the conflict.

Sources say that Egypt is intensifying its efforts with all parties to reach a clear agreement and define the necessary steps for implementation.

For its part, Hamas is demanding clarity on the mechanisms and procedures involved, as well as guarantees that 'Israel' will not launch new attacks on the Gaza Strip in the future.