Hamas-Israel conflict: Egypt attempts to broker prisoner swap

According to a VNA correspondent in Cairo, Egypt is making efforts to promote a prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and the Hamas Islamic Resistance Movement after a new conflict broke out between the two sides on October 7.

Sources told Ahram Online that Egypt's efforts were mainly focused on securing the release of Palestinian women and children held by Israel, in exchange for Hamas releasing female Israeli soldiers held hostage during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

However, the sources stressed that “the situation remains very sensitive and complex, and the success of the mediation efforts is uncertain.”

The efforts are part of a regional de-escalation initiative launched by Egypt to seek a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, but there are concerns that the situation could deteriorate further.

In a related development, on October 9, the Palestinian Red Crescent announced that Egypt had sent the first batch of emergency medical aid to the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing.

The operation is aimed at supporting the efforts of the Palestinian Red Crescent in providing essential medical services to the population, amid the current escalation of tensions in the impoverished strip of land.

In an interview with Al-Qahera News, the spokesman for the Palestinian Red Crescent, Mohamed Abu-Musbah, praised the humanitarian contributions of the Egyptian people, as well as the support of the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC), calling this a meaningful act that helps maintain the "lifeline" of the Gaza Strip.

He noted that ERC is in regular contact with its partners in the Gaza Strip to deploy aid activities for the Palestinian people.

Mr. Abu-Musbah also said that strategic medical supplies reserves in the region are currently at alarming levels due to the increasing injury rate./.