Hamas Leader Khalil al-Hayya Takes Command of Military Wing as Ceasefire Talks Near Conclusion

Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya has assumed control of the organization’s military wing, the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, as critical ceasefire negotiations approach their final stages. Al-Hayya, who also serves as the senior leader of Hamas in Gaza, is playing a key role in the ongoing hostage deal discussions. The al-Qassam Brigades leadership has pledged full support to al-Hayya as he steps into this new role, according to a senior Hamas official.

As the ceasefire talks near completion, the official emphasized that Hamas has provided a list of living hostages held in Gaza, as they were able to locate them. The ongoing war, however, has made communication between different factions in Gaza challenging. Hamas has committed to providing a comprehensive list of hostages once a ceasefire is achieved and the security situation stabilizes.

In related news, Egyptian sources confirmed that the ceasefire talks are "a few steps away from the finish line." Negotiations have made significant progress in resolving points of contention, with a key compromise reached on the release of ten high-profile Palestinian prisoners, including prominent figures from Fatah, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The deal is also expected to see the release of Israeli soldiers, including five women, and individuals with American and Russian citizenship, marking another breakthrough in the ongoing discussions.