Hamas calls for swift hostage-prisoner swop

HAMAS at the weekend called for a swift start to a hostage-prisoner exchange with Israel, as negotiators from both sides headed to Egypt for crucial talks aimed at ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza.

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The diplomatic push follows Hamas's positive response to Donald Trump’s roadmap for an end to the fighting and the release of captives in Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, with the US leader urging both sides to “move fast”.

“There have been very positive discussions with Hamas, and Countries from all over the World (Arab, Muslim, and everyone else) this weekend, to release the Hostages, end the War in Gaza but, more importantly, finally have long sought Peace in the Middle East,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

“I am told that the first phase should be completed this week, and I am asking everyone to Move Fast.”

Foreign ministers from several countries, including Egypt, said the talks at the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh were a “real opportunity” to achieve a sustainable ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed hope that the hostages could be released within days.