New Negotiations for Hostage Release: Egyptian Efforts and Cautious Optimism
April 12, 2025, 2:24 pm

New Negotiations for Hostage Release: Egyptian Efforts and Cautious Optimism

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Israeli broadcasting authority (Kan 11) reported on Saturday that progress has been made in the negotiations due to the pressure exerted by Egypt to reach a proposal that may be acceptable to Hamas. The proposed plan, which is supposed to be approved by Israel, includes the release of eight live hostages, in addition to the handover of eight bodies.

The authority quoted sources familiar with the details of the negotiations, stating that the Egyptian proposal also includes a demand for a ceasefire as part of the agreement.

According to reports, Israel has formally conveyed its demands to the mediators, which include, among other things, an increase in the number of hostages to be released, both living and deceased. Israel is also calling for a reduction in the time frame between the first and second releases to enhance the chances of successful negotiations.

Sources indicated that there are gaps in optimism between political and professional levels, as participants in the discussions clarified that the current time requires Israel to pursue a comprehensive agreement that leads to the simultaneous release of all living hostages, rather than through phases that may leave some still detained.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”