CAIRO: Hamas said Wednesday that “optimism” was prevailing in indirect talks with Israel aimed at ending the Gaza war, with the militant group submitting a list of prisoners it wants released in exchange for freeing Israeli hostages under a deal. The talks aim to thrash out a plan to implement a 20-point peace proposal put forward last month by US President Donald Trump, to which both Israel and Hamas have responded positively. The plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of all the hostages, Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Hamas calls for swift hostage-prisoner exchange with Israel as crucial talks aim to end two-year war.

CAIRO/JERUSALEM/WASHINGTON: Hamas officials were in Egypt on Monday ahead of talks with Israel that the US hopes will lead to a halt in fighting and the freeing of hostages in…