The militant group Hamas has formally submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants Israel to release as part of a potential hostage exchange deal currently being negotiated in Egypt.

In a statement released on Wednesday through its official channels, senior Hamas official Taher Nunu confirmed that both sides had exchanged lists — one identifying the Israeli hostages held in Gaza, and the other naming Palestinian detainees Hamas wants freed.

Nunu noted that the list includes individuals serving life sentences for terror-related offenses, as well as Gazans detained since the start of the war. However, he did not disclose the exact number or names of those on the list.

“The lists of prisoners were exchanged today in accordance with the agreed criteria and numbers,” Nunu stated.

According to Nunu, discussions have also broadened to include the mechanisms for ending the war in Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from the territory.

“The mediators are making great efforts to remove every obstacle to the implementation of a ceasefire, and there is an optimistic spirit among everyone,” he added.

Hamas confirmed that Nunu is currently in Sharm el-Sheikh, where Egyptian, Qatari, and U.S. officials are mediating the latest round of talks.

This development marks a potential breakthrough in the U.S.-backed peace plan aimed at securing the release of all remaining hostages and ending the two-year-long Gaza war, which has left thousands dead and displaced millions.