Hamas demanding bodies of Sinwar brothers in Gaza truce talks

Hamas is demanding the bodies of its slain leaders, Yahya and Mohammad Sinwar, as part of the ongoing negotiations for a deal to end the war on Gaza, a report by The Wall Street Journal said.

Read more: What was Yahya Sinwar holding in his hand during Gaza battles?

This request, previously rejected by ‘Israel’, is one of the sticking points in negotiations happening this week in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

The talks are part of a 20-point peace plan put forth by President Donald Trump.

Key Sticking Points in Gaza Peace Talks

• Demands for a Phased Withdrawal: Hamas is holding approximately 20 living captives and the bodies of 28 more. The group's primary leverage is the captives, so it's pushing hard for its demands. Central to these demands is a clear timetable for ‘Israel's’ withdrawal from Gaza and specific locations for troop pullbacks. While Trump's plan includes a map of withdrawal lines, Hamas officials are demanding precise details and freedom of movement within the Gaza Strip to collect captives and recover bodies. ‘Israel’, however, is hesitant to ease up.
• Prisoner Exchange: The Trump plan calls for ‘Israel’ to release 250 Palestinian detainees, including some serving life sentences. Hamas wants to secure the release of high-profile leaders like Marwan Barghouti, who was jailed for his role in a Palestinian uprising. Hamas is also seeking the return of the bodies of brothers Yahya and Mohammad Sinwar, key architects of the October 7th attacks.

Hurdles on Both Sides

Internal Opposition: Despite tentative support for the deal from both sides, hardliners could still derail it. ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces opposition from far-right members of his government over releasing high-profile Palestinian detainees. Similarly, factions within Hamas's armed wing could reject the deal if they feel they aren't getting enough in return, preferring to continue a guerrilla war, according to the report by The Wall Street Journal. 

High-Level Negotiations

Given the high stakes, both sides have sent their top negotiators to the talks in Egypt. The ‘Israeli’ delegation is led by Ron Dermer, a close confidant of Netanyahu.

The US is represented by Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Hamas's delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya and includes Muhammad Darwish, officials who recently survived an ‘Israeli’ strike in Qatar.