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Israel, Hamas Due to Release More People amid Efforts to Extend Truce

Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City on the northern Gaza strip following weeks of Israeli bombardment, as a four-day ceasefire took effect on November 24, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City on the northern Gaza strip following weeks of Israeli bombardment, as a four-day ceasefire took effect on November 24, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
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Israel, Hamas Due to Release More People amid Efforts to Extend Truce

Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City on the northern Gaza strip following weeks of Israeli bombardment, as a four-day ceasefire took effect on November 24, 2023. (Photo by AFP)
Palestinians walk amid the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza City on the northern Gaza strip following weeks of Israeli bombardment, as a four-day ceasefire took effect on November 24, 2023. (Photo by AFP)

Hamas and Israel were expected to release more hostages and prisoners on Wednesday, the last day of a prolonged six-day truce in the Gaza Strip conflict, as attention focused on whether mediator Qatar could negotiate another extension.
Israeli media, citing the prime minister's office, reported that Israel received a list of hostages expected to be released by Hamas on Wednesday. The prime minister's office had no immediate comment, Reuters said.
Israel has said the truce could be prolonged further, provided Hamas continues to free at least 10 Israeli hostages per day. But with fewer women and children still in captivity, keeping the guns quiet beyond Wednesday may require negotiating to free at least some Israeli men for the first time.
The Palestinian group Hamas and allied group Islamic Jihad freed 12 hostages on Tuesday, bringing the total released since the truce began on Friday to 81. Those have been mostly Israeli women and children along with foreign citizens.
The hostages - 10 Israeli women and two Thai citizens - were aged 17 to 84 and included a mother-daughter pair. All were given initial medical checks then moved to Israeli hospitals where they were to meet their families.
A short time later, Israel released 30 Palestinians from Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank and a Jerusalem detention center. The Palestinian Prisoner's Club, a semi-official organization, said half were women and the remainder were teenage males. That brought the total number of Palestinians released under the truce to 180.
The hostages were among some 240 people seized by Hamas gunmen during a rampage into southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which Israel says 1,200 people were killed. Israel's bombardment of Hamas-ruled Gaza in retaliation has killed more than 15,000 Gazans, health authorities there said.
Qatar, which mediated indirect talks between Hamas and Israel that resulted in the ceasefire, on Tuesday hosted the spy chiefs from Israel's Mossad and the United States' CIA.
The officials discussed possible parameters of a new phase of the truce deal including Hamas releasing hostages who are men or military personnel, not just women and children, a source briefed on the matter said. They also considered what might be needed to reach a ceasefire lasting more than a handful of days.
Qatar spoke to Hamas before the meeting to get a sense of what the group might agree to. The Israelis and Hamas are now internally discussing the ideas explored at the meeting, the source added.
Separately, foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations on Tuesday called in a joint statement for an extension of the ceasefire and more humanitarian aid.
About 159 hostages remain in Gaza. The White House said on Tuesday this includes eight to nine Americans. US national security spokesperson John Kirby said the US was hopeful Hamas would release more Americans, and the US government would work with Qatar to extend the pause in fighting.
"We want to see all the hostages out. The way to do that is these pauses," Kirby told reporters traveling on the president's plane on Tuesday.
WARNING OF MORE DEATHS DUE TO DISEASE IN GAZA
The truce has brought Gaza its first respite after seven weeks of fighting and bombardment that has reduced much of the seaside enclave to rubble. It had been due to expire overnight into Tuesday, but both sides agreed to extend the pause to allow for the release of more people.
Israel's siege has led to the collapse of Gaza's health care system, especially in the north where no hospitals remain functioning. The World Health Organization said more Gazans could soon be dying of disease than from bombing and many had no access to medicines, vaccines, safe water and hygiene and no food.
More than two-thirds of Gaza's 2.3 million people have lost their homes to Israeli bombardments, with thousands of families sleeping rough in makeshift shelters with only the belongings they could carry. They are desperately short of food, fuel and clean water.
"We have a dramatic humanitarian situation. At the same time, we want to have the full release of all hostages, that we believe should be unconditional and immediate. But we need a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza now," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Tuesday.
The temporary ceasefire has allowed about 800 aid trucks to enter Gaza, and the first of three US planes with humanitarian supplies for Gaza landed in Egypt on Tuesday.
UN aid chief Martin Griffiths was to travel to the Jordanian capital Amman on Wednesday to discuss opening the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza from Israel.
Located at the intersection of Israel, the Gaza Strip and Egypt, the Kerem Shalom crossing transported more than 60% of the aid going into Gaza before the current conflict.
Aid for Gaza now comes through the Rafah crossing on the Egyptian border, which was designed for pedestrian crossings and not trucks.

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Arab World

US Auditors Find No Evidence Linking Iraq PM-Designate to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
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US Auditors Find No Evidence Linking Iraq PM-Designate to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards

Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)
Iraq’s prime minister-designate Ali al-Zaidi attends a Coordination Framework meeting in Baghdad on April 27 (AP)

A US law firm said an independent investigation it recently conducted found no evidence linking Iraq’s prime minister-designate, Ali al-Zaidi, to financial activities tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, adding that restrictions imposed on him in 2024 were due to reputational risks, not proven involvement in money laundering.

The clarification comes as al-Zaidi’s surprise designation to form a government in Baghdad, succeeding Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, faces political scrutiny over his background, after a bank he owns was included in restrictions by the Central Bank of Iraq on access to US dollars, as part of what was described at the time as a campaign to combat illicit financial flows.

Representatives of K2 Integrity, who asked not to be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly, said an independent probe by the firm found no credible evidence linking al-Zaidi or Al-Janoob Islamic Bank to the Quds Force and did not identify direct financial transfers from the bank to regional entities classified as high risk.

One representative told Asharq Al-Awsat that the restriction recommended by the US Treasury and the New York Federal Reserve on Al-Janoob Islamic Bank was limited to US dollar transactions and was driven by reputational concerns and the bank’s ownership, rather than confirmed violations related to money laundering or financing Iran-linked entities.

Al-Zaidi, a businessman who owns companies with his brother and partners, including Al-Oweis, Al-Janoob, and Dijlah TV, is seen as an opaque figure in Iraq’s political landscape.

His designation came amid public US opposition that led to Nouri al-Maliki’s exclusion from the race, while unannounced objections were also reported to have sidelined al-Sudani.

Restrictions linked to Iran

In February 2024, Iraq imposed restrictions on eight local banks, including Al-Janoob Islamic Bank, preventing them from accessing US dollars through the central bank window. The move was part of Washington’s efforts to curb money transfers to Iran.

A US Treasury spokesperson said at the time the measures aimed to protect Iraq’s financial system from abuse, citing concerns that US currency could be used in illegal activities.

The case highlights the ongoing challenge facing Baghdad in balancing its ties with both the United States and Iran, given its heavy reliance on the US dollar. Iraq receives about $10 billion in cash annually from the Federal Reserve, according to official estimates.

The US Embassy in Baghdad welcomed al-Zaidi’s designation, expressing support for efforts to form a government that reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people. This follows months of political deadlock and comes amid pressure from the administration of Donald Trump, which had threatened to cut support to Iraq if al-Maliki returned to power.

Al-Zaidi faces a 30-day deadline to form a government, amid sharp divisions within the Coordination Framework and as regional tensions escalate following military strikes on Iran in February 2026 and subsequent attacks by armed groups on US interests in Iraq.

Arab World

Syria Justice Chief Says Pursuing Assad Regime Requires Patience

Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
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Syria Justice Chief Says Pursuing Assad Regime Requires Patience

Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)
Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif, head of Syria’s National Transitional Justice Commission (file photo)

Syria’s judiciary has begun investigating four senior figures from the former regime accused of war crimes against Syrians, even as the National Transitional Justice Commission has yet to complete the formation of its council, raising questions over whether the move falls within a transitional justice framework, particularly in the absence of a dedicated law.

Commission head Brig. Gen. Abdul Basit Abdul Latif said the referrals are part of that process.

“Referring the four former regime figures to the courts falls within the path of transitional justice,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that the move was coordinated with the Ministry of Justice.

His remarks come amid doubts about the state’s willingness to hold former regime figures accountable.

Public Prosecutor Judge Hassan al-Turba said on July 30 that prosecutions had been launched against several defendants accused of crimes and violations against Syrians, as part of efforts to implement transitional justice, ensure accountability, and protect victims’ rights.

Those targeted include former officials under Bashar al-Assad: Atef Najib, Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, Mohammad al-Shaar, and Ibrahim al-Huweija.

Justice process launched

On May 17, Syria’s president issued a decree establishing a transitional justice commission to uncover violations by the former regime, hold those responsible accountable, and provide redress to victims.

The decree describes transitional justice as a cornerstone for building a state governed by the rule of law, guaranteeing victims’ rights, and achieving national reconciliation.

The decree appointed Abdul Latif to lead the body and tasked him with forming a team and drafting internal regulations within 30 days. It grants the commission legal personality and financial and administrative independence, with authority to operate across Syria.

Abdul Latif, born in Deir al-Zor in 1963, studied law at the University of Aleppo and holds advanced degrees in police and legal sciences.

He headed the Qamishli district before defecting in 2012 and later served as secretary-general of the Syrian opposition National Coalition until the regime’s fall.

The commission will examine complaints related to the Assad government’s crackdown on protests that began in March 2011.

Alleged violations include chemical attacks, widespread aerial bombardment with barrel bombs, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and systematic torture in detention centers, which rights groups say killed or disappeared hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Draft law in the works

Abdul Latif said a draft law on transitional justice and serious violations is being prepared and is expected after the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Trials will cover “all types of crimes defined in the decree,” including genocide, war crimes, torture, enforced disappearance, and the use of toxic and chemical gases, as defined under the Geneva Conventions.

On the prospect of prosecuting Bashar al-Assad and his brother Maher, who have fled abroad, Abdul Latif said Syrians are waiting for justice but warned that building legally sound cases will take time.

“Nothing is achieved easily,” he said.

Broad accountability

The commission is preparing to establish committees, compile case files, and refer them to the judiciary for the issuance of arrest warrants.Abdul Latif said it would work with international bodies to ensure justice and support for victims. Accountability will span both Hafez al-Assad and his son, covering 54 years of rule.

Abdul Latif said it would be “unethical” to ignore crimes under Hafez al-Assad, including the 1982 Hama massacre, as well as killings in Jisr al-Shughour, Aleppo’s Masharqa neighborhood, and abuses in Tadmor prison.

He said residents of Hama have asked whether the commission will address the largely overlooked massacres of the 1980s. “The commission will listen to all,” he said.

Focus on past crimes

The process will cover the period before Dec. 8, as stipulated in the decree. “Transitional justice addresses past crimes,” Abdul Latif said, noting that current violations fall under the transitional government’s ministries of defense, interior, and justice.

While the commission is not directly responsible for those cases, he did not rule out a role where relevant.

On crimes committed by non-Syrian armed groups before the regime’s fall, Abdul Latif said the decree targets violations by the former regime. However, any Syrian harmed by any group can file a complaint with the commission, which will review it.

Building the commission

Since mid-May, the commission has received about 120 applications. Fifteen will be selected to join the council alongside the chairman, bringing the total to 16 members.

Other applicants will be assigned to specialized teams supporting committee work, with victims at the center of the commission’s mandate.

Abdul Latif said he has met representatives from more than 20 countries and around 30 local and international civil society organizations in recent weeks. Discussions have focused on creating a compensation fund under Syrian sovereignty with international support, given the scale of destruction and the state’s limited capacity.

He said reconstruction could form part of compensation, at least through partial repairs to damaged homes.

Syrian organizations, he added, bring significant expertise in human rights, transitional justice, and the issue of missing persons. They will form a second pillar of the commission’s work, alongside a third made up of legal academics and historians tasked with documenting violations and preserving national memory.

Complaints mechanism

The commission is preparing to launch an online platform and dedicated phone lines to receive complaints, alongside a witness protection program.

Cases will be reviewed by specialized committees, including a truth-seeking body tasked with gathering evidence and building case files.

Drawing on global experience, Abdul Latif said some countries prioritized reconciliation while others focused on accountability.

Syria, he said, will pursue both tracks in parallel to ensure justice and pave the way for national reconciliation.

Globally, such processes have taken five to eight years. Syria’s decree sets a five-year mandate, with the possibility of extension.

“We hope to complete the work within five years,” Abdul Latif said.

Arab World

Hamas Revives Momentum for Political Bureau Chief Election

Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
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Hamas Revives Momentum for Political Bureau Chief Election

Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)
Hamas leaders, from right: Rawhi Mushtaha, Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, all of whom were assassinated, and Khaled Meshaal and Khalil al-Hayya (file photo, Hamas media)

Two sources in the Palestinian group Hamas said on Wednesday that the movement has resumed the process of electing a new head of its political bureau, pending the full selection of its members.

The move restores momentum to the leadership race after it stalled at least twice in January and February.

A source inside Gaza told Asharq Al-Awsat that “conditions that had been hindering the elections have been resolved,” opening the way for the process to restart.

He said some of those conditions were linked to internal organizational disputes in the enclave, adding that once settled, the decision was made to resume the process, alongside external political and security factors and ongoing negotiations.

Hamas faces its most severe crisis since its founding in 1987, after Israeli strikes launched in response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attack hit multiple wings and levels of the group, triggering organizational and financial strains.

Estimates suggest Khaled Meshaal, head of the political bureau abroad, and Khalil al-Hayya, head of the political bureau in Gaza, are the leading contenders.

Observers and figures inside and outside Hamas say al-Hayya is backed by members in Gaza and the Qassam Brigades, while Meshaal has stronger support in the West Bank and abroad.

A source outside Gaza said the vote will take place across all accessible arenas, inside Gaza, the West Bank and abroad, depending on conditions, with a decision expected soon.

For about a year and a half, a leadership council has been managing Hamas affairs.

At the start of this year, a new push began to elect a leader for the remainder of the current political bureau’s term, originally due to end in 2025 and extended by one year, pending broader elections expected at the end of this year or early next year.

An attempt to hold the vote in mid-February was disrupted by the US-Israeli war on Iran, sources said at the time.

The vote will be limited to selecting a new political bureau chief to lead Hamas inside and outside the territories. Full elections for the bureau are not expected before the end of this year or early 2027.

The current leadership council, which includes Hamas leaders in Gaza, the West Bank and abroad, along with the movement’s secretary-general, and is headed by Shura Council chief Mohammed Darwish, will become an advisory body overseeing the group’s internal and external affairs.