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With the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage-return deal approaching, Hamas is pressuring Israel to add prisoners like Marwan Barghouti and Ahmad Saadat to a release list. Israel has published 250 names but excluded seven high-profile inmates, drawing pushback as 20 Israeli hostages are slated for release under a plan proposed by US President Donald Trump. A Palestinian official says US envoy Steve Witkoff will raise the issue with Benjamin Netanyahu, though Israel refuses. Israel will free about 250 life-sentence prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza; hospitals prepare as families wait. Bodies of deceased hostages will be returned.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.