Israel seeks hostages' release amid Hamas' rising demands
Hamas is demanding additional concessions in exchange for the release of 11 men whom Israel wants on the list of hostages to be freed. This report comes from the Egyptian television channel Al-Ghad. So far, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have not produced any results.
Israel aims to secure the release of 11 individuals as part of the first phase of a potential ceasefire agreement with Hamas. In response to these demands, Hamas is seeking further concessions. Details have been provided by the Egyptian television channel Al-Ghad.
As noted, as part of the negotiations, Israel plans to release 250 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for children held in Gaza, five female soldiers, and older and sick female prisoners. Egyptian media mention that the initial round of releases may also include hostages who have no military connections.
Israel insists that the agreement should also include 11 men whom Hamas classifies as soldiers because it views all Israeli men of conscription age as military personnel.
Talks with Israel. Here are Hamas' conditions
Hamas demands "special consideration" for its concerns regarding Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. It seeks to include categories of prisoners previously not considered for exchange, as reported by Al-Ghad.
The discussions on a ceasefire also cover the opening of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, the potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Netzarim corridor, and the return of civilians to northern Gaza.
They seek an agreement between Israel and Hamas
Israel is pressing for the release of hostages held by Hamas, proposing an exchange, the specifics of which are being negotiated with the assistance of Egypt and Qatar. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, even sought help from Elon Musk at the start of December, emphasizing the importance of international involvement in this process.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a truce and the release of hostages have yet to yield significant outcomes. Both sides are blaming each other for the dialogue’s difficulties.
The mentioned Egypt and Qatar play a key role as mediators, striving for a compromise by proposing a 60-day truce. The proposal involves releasing the most vulnerable hostages - children, women, and the elderly - but it still faces resistance. Israel stresses that it will not halt military actions until Hamas is defeated, while Hamas demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The proposal, also backed by the USA, involves Hamas relinquishing control over the Rafah border crossing and agreeing to the presence of the Israeli army in strategic military corridors in the Gaza Strip. In return, Israel would release Palestinian prisoners and increase the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. In mid-December, there were talks of a potential breakthrough, but no agreement has been announced yet.
