Hamas demands return of leader’s body in hostage exchange

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1. ***The Telegraph reports:***

   Hamas has reportedly demanded that Israel hand over the body of its former leader Yahya Sinwar, as both sides exchanged lists of prisoners and hostages to be exchanged in the event of a deal.

   The terror group has also requested the corpse of Mohammed Sinwar – who became the third Hamas leader in the Strip following the death of his brother, the mastermind behind the [Oct 7 atrocity](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/07/hamas-rockets-israel-october-7-anniversary-gaza-war/) – according to the Wall Street Journal.

   Israel has always resisted requested demands to hand over the remains of the most senior terrorists in previous negotiations.

   Despite the potential difficulties posed by Hamas’s request, however, cautious optimism emanated from the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Wednesday.

   Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, the Egyptian president, said he received “very encouraging” messages from mediators

   Taher Nunu, a senior Hamas official, said that lists of “prisoners” had been exchanged.

   Last week, Hamas said it would release all [48 Israeli hostages](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/07/hamas-murdered-son-interview-oct-7-anniversary/) in one go shortly after the start of a ceasefire, provided the sides could find [agreement on other matters](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/06/hamas-demand-release-oct-7-attackers-exchange-for-hostages/).

   Israel has committed in principle to release just under 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences for terror and other serious offences.

   Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, risks losing the ultra-nationalist coalition members if the deal goes through.

   **Read more:** [**https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/08/israel-intercepts-new-gaza-aid-flotilla-peace-talks/**](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/08/israel-intercepts-new-gaza-aid-flotilla-peace-talks/)

2. >Minutes after being handed the note, Mr Trump, who is notorious for holding lengthy press conferences that run for hours at a time, announced he was leaving to “try and solve some problems in the Middle East”.

   I’m sure that he’ll solve it right after he finishes his healthcare plan.

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