Al Mayadeen – April 17, 2025
Al-Hayya proposes full prisoner swap deal in exchange for Gaza truce
In a recorded address, al-Hayya stated that Hamas is ready to release all captives held by the resistance in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas politburo chief Khalil al-Hayya announced on Thursday that the movement is prepared to engage in immediate, comprehensive negotiations to secure a full prisoner exchange deal, tied to a complete ceasefire in Gaza, an Israeli withdrawal from the territory, and the launch of reconstruction efforts.
In a recorded address, al-Hayya stated that Hamas is ready to release all captives held by the resistance in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners currently detained in Israeli jails. He emphasized that such an agreement must include the total cessation of hostilities, a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza, the initiation of reconstruction, and the lifting of the long-standing blockade.
Al-Hayya welcomed recent comments by Adam Boehler, the US envoy under President Donald Trump, who advocated for addressing the issues of captives and the ongoing war as part of a single package. Al-Hayya described Boehler’s stance as consistent with Hamasﾒ position and reiterated the group’s readiness to reach a full agreement under those terms.
Netanyahu sabotaged January ceasefire
The Hamas leader referenced the January 17 agreement, which he said was the outcome of over a year and a half of difficult negotiations. According to al-Hayya, the agreement included three phases and was initially respected by Palestinian factions, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government "reneged on the deal before the completion of the first phase," resuming what he described as mass killings, destruction, and starvation in Gaza.
He added that Hamas accepted another proposal at the end of Ramadan, despite doubts over Netanyahu’s intentions. "Netanyahu is determined to continue the war to protect his political future," al-Hayya said, noting that the Israeli government rejected a proposal endorsed by international mediators — a proposal that Hamas had already approved.
Resistance rejects any partial agreements
Al-Hayya criticized what he described as the Israeli occupation's "unrealistic conditions," which he said fail to guarantee either a ceasefire or a withdrawal. He also warned against partial agreements, claiming they serve as political cover for the continuation of war.
"Netanyahu uses partial deals to pursue a policy of genocide and starvation — even at the cost of abandoning his own captives," he said. "We will not participate in enabling such a strategy."
He emphasized that the armed resistance remains a legitimate right tied to the presence of occupation. "Our weapons are connected to the occupation. This is a natural right for our people, as it is for any population under occupation."
International pressure urged to end Gaza blockade
Al-Hayya concluded by calling on the international community to intervene and press for the immediate lifting of the blockade on Gaza. He said that more than two million Palestinians are facing starvation and deprivation of basic necessities, in violation of international and humanitarian law.
Separately, senior Hamas figure Mahmoud Mardawi stated on Wednesday that the group was still formulating its response to an Israeli ceasefire and prisoner exchange proposal. However, he underscored that Hamas’s weapons are non-negotiable.
"The resistance’s arms are not on the table. They are central to the unified Palestinian position among the factions," Mardawi told AFP.
Hamas wants end to war on Gaza
Hamas remains firmly opposed to partial solutions that do not guarantee an end to the Israeli war on Gaza, a senior official in the Palestinian Resistance asserted on Thursday.
Speaking to Al Mayadeen, the official emphasized that the Palestinian group insists that any resolution must be comprehensive.
The latest Israeli ceasefire proposal fails to meet Hamas' core demands for a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, the source indicated.
A couple of days ago, Al Mayadeen obtained a copy of the Israeli proposal submitted to mediators and subsequently conveyed to Hamas regarding negotiations for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
In March, "Israel" reneged on a ceasefire that brought two months of relative calm and resumed its war on the Gaza Strip.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/al-hayya-proposes-full-prisoner-swap-deal-in-exchange-for-ga
Hamas insists that any Gaza resolution be comprehensive: Exclusive
A couple of days ago, Al Mayadeen obtained a copy of the Israeli proposal submitted to mediators and subsequently conveyed to Hamas regarding negotiations for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
Hamas remains firmly opposed to partial solutions that do not guarantee an end to the Israeli war on Gaza, a senior official in the Palestinian Resistance asserted on Thursday.
Speaking to Al Mayadeen, the official emphasized that the Palestinian group insists that any resolution must be comprehensive.
The latest Israeli ceasefire proposal fails to meet Hamas' core demands for a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, the source indicated.
A couple of days ago, Al Mayadeen obtained a copy of the Israeli proposal submitted to mediators and subsequently conveyed to Hamas regarding negotiations for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
In March, "Israel" reneged on a ceasefire that brought two months of relative calm and resumed its war on the Gaza Strip.
Details of the Israeli proposal for Gaza ceasefire
The document outlines that Hamas would release captive Edan Alexander on the first day as a special gesture to the United States, signaling goodwill at the onset of the discussions.
The Israeli proposal includes a clear demand for the complete disarmament of the Gaza Strip, setting forth a framework for a 45-day temporary ceasefire. This ceasefire would encompass the cessation of military operations, the delivery of humanitarian aid, and the exchange of prisoners.
On the second day of the truce, Hamas would release five living captives in exchange for 66 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 611 detainees from Gaza.
The proposal stipulates that any release of captives must occur without public displays or ceremonial proceedings.
Moreover, the proposal calls for the establishment of a mutually agreed-upon mechanism to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians exclusively.
Following the release of the five captives, the document allows for the entry of humanitarian aid and necessary shelter equipment to assist displaced persons in Gaza.
Additionally, the Israeli military would begin its “redeployment” in the Rafah area and northern Gaza Strip following the release of the captives.
On the third day, negotiations are set to begin on “the day after,” which would center on disarmament efforts and the formal declaration of a permanent ceasefire.
By the seventh day, Hamas would release four captives in exchange for 54 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, as well as 500 detainees held since October 7, 2023.
The proposal specifies that after the seventh day, the Israeli military would begin "redeploying" east of Salah al-Din Street.
On the 10th day, Hamas would be required to provide comprehensive information about all remaining living captives in exchange for corresponding information on Palestinian detainees
On the 20th day, Hamas would release 16 dead captives in exchange for 160 Palestinians who have been killed, with both groups to be released simultaneously.
The Israeli proposal further outlines that negotiations for a permanent ceasefire must be finalized within 45 days. It also specifies that once a ceasefire agreement is reached, the remaining live and dead captives will be released.
If a temporary ceasefire is successfully agreed upon, the proposal indicates that it could be extended under mutually agreed-upon conditions and for a duration to be determined by both parties.
Finally, the document underscores that the guarantors of the deal—Egypt, Qatar, and the United States—would continue to exert efforts to ensure the continuation of negotiations and the eventual establishment of a permanent ceasefire agreement.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/hamas-insists-that-any-gaza-resolution-be-comprehensive--exc
Palestinian Information Center – April 17, 2025
In the 40,000 Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, one in ten bombs did not explode
According to the UN Mine Action Service, one in 10 bombs fired by the Israeli occupation army on the Gaza Strip did not explode.
Reuters quoted the UN Human Rights Office as saying that the removal of unexploded bombs in the Gaza Strip has not commenced due to Israeli restrictions as well as the resumption of the war on March 18 after the collapse of the ceasefire agreement.
International efforts to remove unexploded bombs in Gaza during periods of calm have been hampered by Israeli occupation authorities, aid officials said.
At least 23 people have been killed and 162 injured by unexploded ordnance since the start of the war in Gaza, according to UN data.
By October 2024, the Israeli occupation army stated that it had already carried out more than 40,000 air strikes on Gaza. The UN Mine Action Service estimates that between one in 10 and one in 20 bombs fired on Gaza have failed to explode, with US-made bombs among those used by Israel.
Between March and July of last year, the occupation authorities rejected requests to import more than 20 types of mine clearance equipment, representing a total of more than 2,000 items, from binoculars to armored vehicles to detonation cables, according to a document prepared by two humanitarian demining organizations.
Under the 1907 Hague Convention, Israel is obligated as an “occupying power” to remove or assist in the removal of remnants of war that endanger the lives of civilians, according to the UN Human Rights Office and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The ICRC defines unexploded ordnance as remnants of war from weapons that did not explode when activated and were left behind following an armed conflict, such as bombs, rockets, artillery shells and grenades. These munitions kill and injure thousands of people around the world every year.
In addition to time and cost, other challenges lie in how to extract these munitions in a safe manner. According to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), unexploded bombs are underground. In the case of Gaza, they are hidden under tons of rubble, which the UN estimates at 50 million tons.
https://english.palinfo.com/news/2025/04/17/337558/
Iran-Saudi ties to 'benefit both nations,' says Sayyed Khamenei
"It is far better for brothers to help each other than to rely on outsiders," Sayyed Khamanei said.
IRNA on Thursday reported that Iran's leader, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, welcomed Saudi Arabia's Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud in Tehran, where the two discussed prospects for deeper bilateral ties. The visit, which marked a significant diplomatic gesture, included the delivery of a message from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Ayatollah Khamenei
.
During the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei noted that stronger relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia would serve the interests of both countries. "The relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia will benefit both nations and... the two countries can complement each other," he stated.
Acknowledging the challenges facing the improvement of Tehran-Riyadh ties, the Iranian leader affirmed the need to push past hostile agendas. "The enhancement of ties between Tehran and Riyadh faces opposition," he said, adding, "hostile intentions must be overcome," and affirming that "Iran is fully prepared to do so."
He also referenced Iran's technological and military advancements, expressing readiness to support Saudi Arabia in these areas, and called for mutual reliance between neighboring states rather than dependence on external powers. "It is far better for brothers to help each other than to rely on outsiders," he remarked.
Prince Khalid, who led a high-ranking delegation of military officials, affirmed the Kingdom's commitment to expanding cooperation with Iran. "I am in Tehran with the intention to expand relations and cooperation with Iran across all areas," he said, voicing optimism that the exchange would lead to meaningful progress. "I hope the constructive discussions will lead to stronger ties between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Diplomatic Shift
The meeting comes amid shifting regional dynamics, particularly as US President Donald Trump, during a recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly announced the launch of backchannel talks with Iran toward a new nuclear agreement, without involving Tel Aviv. According to The Jerusalem Post, the move left Netanyahu blindsided and visibly unsettled, as his visit to Washington had focused on easing trade tariffs and discussing joint strategies against Iran's nuclear program.
Adding to "Israel's" unease, Trump also revealed his intent to move forward with a US-Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation deal that does not require normalization with "Israel"—a significant departure from prior US policy under Biden that had tied any such agreement to diplomatic recognition of Israel by Riyadh. Netanyahu was said to have received a "harsh and even somewhat humiliating" response from Trump, according to Yedioth Ahronoth, and left Washington without any concrete commitments on tariff relief or Gaza policy.
These developments highlight the growing divergence between Tel Aviv's objectives and those of Riyadh and Washington. The Saudi leadership has made it clear that any normalization with "Israel" is conditional on the establishment of a Palestinian state—a stance hardened since "Israel's" genocidal campaign in Gaza began in October 2023.
Despite these tensions, the Iran-Saudi rapprochement continues to progress. Since the restoration of diplomatic ties in March 2023 through a China-brokered agreement, embassies have reopened and dialogue has advanced across economic, political, and security fronts.
The Saudi minister also held talks with Major General Mohammad Baqeri, Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, and other senior military and political officials during his one-day visit.
Araghchi says awaiting Oman decision on talks, hands letter to Putin
Iran's Foreign Minister confirmed that Iran is still awaiting Oman’s decision regarding the venue for the second round of indirect negotiations with the United States.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, to Russian President Vladimir Putin during a visit to Moscow on Thursday
.
The message addressed key international, regional, and bilateral issues, according to statements made by Araghchi to Iranian media in the Russian capital.
"This trip has several goals," Araghchi said. "Primarily, it was planned to deliver a written message from the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to President Putin. It also coincides with recent developments and indirect negotiations."
The minister highlighted the close coordination between Tehran and Moscow on nuclear matters, stating: "We have always had close consultations with our Russian friends on the nuclear issue, and now is a good opportunity to continue these discussions."
Iran-Russia strategic treaty progressing
In addition to nuclear diplomacy, Araghchi noted that talks with Russian officials would also cover the situation in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, and broader regional developments.
Araghchi also emphasized the importance of the Iran-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty, describing it as a significant framework for long-term bilateral relations.
"We are pleased that the treaty has completed its stages in the Russian parliament and is currently moving through the legislative process in Iran," he said. "This treaty gives a long-term strategic perspective to our relations."
Indirect talks await Oman decision
In his remarks, Araghchi confirmed that Iran is still awaiting Oman’s decision regarding the venue for the second round of indirect negotiations with the United States.
"Oman is the host country and will decide on the location of the talks," he said.
The first round of indirect discussions between Tehran and Washington, focused on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions, took place last Saturday in the Omani capital.
An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson clarified that the ongoing negotiations are limited strictly to nuclear issues and the removal of what Tehran describes as "unjust sanctions." The talks, he added, will remain indirect and continue under Omani mediation.
Constructive talks, rising tensions
After returning to the office in January, Trump sent a letter to Iran’s Leader, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, calling for dialogue but warning that failure to reach an agreement could result in military action.
While both sides described their previous talks as "constructive," tensions escalated after Witkoff said Tuesday that Iran must ﾓstop and eliminateﾔ uranium enrichment, a shift from his earlier position, which only demanded Iran return to the 3.67% enrichment cap outlined in the original nuclear accord.
Araghchi criticized the Trump administration’s "contradictory and conflicting positions," and said Iran would assess Washington’s real stance in the upcoming negotiations. He also emphasized that any progress would depend on consistent and constructive positions from the US.
“If we continue to (hear) contradictory and conflicting positions, we are going to have problems,” he warned.
'Lack of trust remains'
Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman have been carried out effectively in their early stages, though the Islamic Republic remains skeptical toward the other side, Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei said on Tuesday.
“We are neither excessively optimistic nor overtly pessimistic about these talks,” he stressed, “Of course, we are very distrustful about the other side," speaking to the leaders of the Islamic Republic’s executive, judicial, and legislative branches.
The Leader of Iran pointed out that the talks were among the various matters handled by the Foreign Ministry, emphasizing that it was an action and a measure that had been both decided upon and implemented.
He further pointed out that progress in the Islamic Republic's diverse affairs should not be tied to the negotiations, insisting that the nation must advance its various matters autonomously while depending on its capabilities.
Remembering Abdel Aziz Al-Rantisi, Hamas co-founder and ‘Lion of Palestine’
By Maryam Qarehgozlou
Abd Al-Aziz al-Rantisi, a very influential co-founder of the Hamas resistance movement, second only to the group’s spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, was assassinated on this day in 2004 in an Israeli missile strike that targeted his car in Gaza.
Rantisi was deeply revered for his unwavering commitment to the Palestinian freedom struggle and the expulsion of the illegal occupying regime and settlers from Palestine, which very deservingly earned him the nickname “Lion of Palestine.”
A pediatrician by training, the 56-year-old iconic resistance leader also served on the administrative boards of the Islamic Society, the Arab Medical Association in the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian Red Crescent.
Apart from his medical expertise, he was also a prolific writer, a versatile poet, and a public speaker who inspired millions.
Rantisi’s political writings and poems were widely published in Arabic newspapers and on his own website, which frequently faced cyberattacks from Israeli occupation forces.
Following the assassination of wheelchair-bound Hamas founder-leader Sheikh Yassin by an Israeli Apache helicopter gunship on March 22, 2004, the Gaza-based resistance movement elected Rantisi as his successor.
However, his leadership turned out to be short-lived, lasting only 25 days before he too was assassinated in a similar Israeli missile attack on April 17, 2004.
Today, the Al-Rantisi Paediatric Hospital in Gaza City honours his illustrious legacy by treating cancer and kidney ailments in those in need.
Early life and education
Born on October 23, 1947, in Yibna, near Ashkelon, Rantisi’s family was expelled by Zionist occupation forces to the Gaza Strip during the 1948 Nakba, which led to the illegal establishment of the Israeli regime.
He was raised, along with nine brothers and two sisters, in the refugee camps of the Gaza Strip—initially under Egyptian control and later under Israeli occupation after 1967.
In 1956, at the young age of nine, he witnessed the Khan Yunis massacre, during which Israeli occupation soldiers killed hundreds of Palestinians in southern Gaza.
Rantisi’s uncle was killed before his eyes during the massacre, an event that he said profoundly shaped the course of his life.
Despite facing challenges such as working to support his large family, Rantisi’s dedication to education enabled him to excel academically, earning a scholarship to study medicine at Alexandria University in Egypt.
In 1971, he graduated with top honours, beginning a successful career as a certified physician in the Gaza Strip.
After graduation, Dr. Rantisi initially practiced medicine in Khan Yunis before returning to Alexandria to specialize in paediatrics.
In 1976, he returned to Gaza and assumed the role of head of paediatrics at Nasir Hospital, showcasing his expertise and dedication to the field.
Rantisi’s commitment to community service extended beyond the hospital, as he often walked across the city to provide free medical care to impoverished children.
He also contributed to medical education by teaching parasitology and genetics at the Islamic University of Gaza following its inauguration in 1978.
Activism and arrests
During his time in Egypt, Rantisi joined the Muslim Brotherhood. His steadfast anti-occupation activism led to multiple arrests by Israeli occupation authorities, including a two-and-a-half-year imprisonment. His cumulative time in Israeli detention amounted to seven years.
In 1983, Rantisi’s organization of a tax withholding campaign against occupation authorities resulted in the loss of his hospital position and his first arrest.
In December 1987, after an Israeli military vehicle struck two vans carrying Palestinian workers, killing four people, Rantisi joined Sheikh Yassin, Salah Shehadeh, and others in urging people to protest the occupation following mosque services.
This event marked the beginning of the First Intifada, a five-year uprising.
On December 9, 1987, Rantisi was among seven Muslim Brotherhood leaders who gathered at Sheikh Yassin’s house and decided to establish the Islamic resistance movement named Hamas, which soon emerged as a major force in the Palestinian intifada.
As the first Hamas leader to be arrested on January 15, 1988, Rantisi spent three weeks in detention before being rearrested on March 5, 1988.
He remained in custody until September 1990, was arrested again in December 1990, and held in so-called administrative detention for a full year.
“I was prevented from sleeping for six days, and I was placed in a refrigerator for twenty-four hours, but despite that, I did not confess to any accusation against me, by the grace of God,” he was quoted as saying, recalling those difficult days.
In December 1992, Rantisi was among 416 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad members expelled to southern Lebanon, near the village of Marj al-Zuhur, by the Israeli occupation regime.
The exile camp drew significant media attention, and Rantisi, with his fluent English, became the primary spokesperson for the Gaza-based resistance movement.
Guardian journalist Derek Brown recalled in a 2004 obituary his interview with Rantisi at Marj al-Zuhur in June 1993, describing him as a gracious host who answered questions with candor.
“Rantisi was a perfect host, organizing a tent for the night and answering all questions with candour,” he wrote.
Brown remembered Rantisi’s diplomatic finesse when responding to a question about compromise, countering with a smile: “If Israel were established in Britain, would you accept compromise?”
Upon returning to his homeland in 1993, Rantisi gained international recognition. Immediately upon his return on December 15, 1993, he was placed under administrative detention by the Israeli regime. In August 1995, he was sentenced to prison by the Israeli military and released in April 1997.
Noted for his criticism of the Palestinian Authority’s willingness to compromise with the Israeli occupation regime, Rantisi remained firm in his conviction that the whole of Palestine must be liberated.
Palestinian Authority officials arrested him in April 1998 after he demanded the resignation of several senior PA figures.
The Palestinian High Court of Justice ordered his release two months later.
His outspoken nature led to additional arrests by the Palestinian Authority between 2000 and 2001. On one occasion, he was released following a hunger strike; in another, he gained freedom after the prison he was held in was bombed by Israeli warplanes.
Rantisi sought the liberation of all Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons and always stated, “I will not rest until all the prisoners are freed.”
Assassination attempts
The Israeli regime made several attempts on Rantisi’s life, but he always outsmarted them.
In June 2003, following his direction of a retaliatory military operation against Israeli occupation soldiers that killed four, Israel launched a failed assassination attempt.
The attack wounded Rantisi, killed one of his bodyguards, severely injured his son Ahmad, and claimed the lives of two civilians—a mother and her five-year-old daughter—while injuring at least 25 others.
From his hospital bed at Al-Shifa Hospital, Rantisi issued a stern warning: “Not a single [Israeli settler] in Palestine is safe,” and vowed to target Israeli political leaders, declaring, “All of them are killers.”
In September that year, Rantisi narrowly survived another assassination attempt.
Three days after Sheikh Yassin’s assassination, Rantisi miraculously survived a third attempt on his life.
On March 27, 2004, after being appointed Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, Rantisi addressed 5,000 resistance supporters in Gaza.
“America declared war against God. [Israeli Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon declared war against God and God declared war against America, [US President George] Bush, and Sharon. The war of God continues against them, and I can see the victory coming up from the land of Palestine by the hand of Hamas,” he said in the speech.
Rantisi’s wife, Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti, who was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006, was herself assassinated in 2023.
Rantisi, a devoted family man with six children, refused to use safe houses for protection.
After Yassin’s assassination, Rantisi reflected on death, stating it was inevitable regardless of cause.
“It’s death, whether by killing or by cancer. Nothing will change. If by Apache [helicopter] or by cardiac arrest, I prefer Apache,” he said.
