Hamas and Israel Nearing Hostage Negotiation Breakthrough... Hamas "Approaching Ceasefire Agreement" (Update)

As Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas have been negotiating the release of hostages, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh stated on the 21st (local time), "We are approaching a ceasefire agreement."

Palestinian militant group Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh
[Photo by AP News]

According to AFP, Haniyeh said in a statement released on social media that Hamas has "delivered a response to the brothers and mediators in Qatar." However, major foreign media reported that the statement did not specify the terms or details of the agreement.

After Haniyeh’s statement, a Hamas official told the Arab broadcaster Al Jazeera that "negotiations are underway regarding the number of ceasefire days, the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of hostages and detainees." The official explained, "The agreement will include releasing Israeli women and children in exchange for Palestinian women and children held in the (Israeli) occupation forces’ detention centers." The official added that the details of the agreement would be announced by Qatar, which has been mediating the negotiations.

Earlier, on October 7, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel and abducted about 240 hostages, taking them to the Gaza Strip. Israel and the United States have been negotiating with Hamas through Qatar’s mediation to secure the release of the hostages. Major foreign media recently reported that Israel and Hamas are expected to reach an agreement to temporarily halt hostilities for several days in exchange for the release of hostages.

The U.S. side also indicated that Hamas and Israel are finding common ground in the negotiations. On the previous day, U.S. President Joe Biden responded to a question about whether a hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas was imminent by saying, "I believe so." President Biden’s response suggested that both sides are moving toward an agreement.

John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), also said during a briefing on the same day, in response to related questions, "We believe we are getting closer and closer to (a hostage release agreement)," adding, "We are closer than ever before. That is a good thing."

The Washington Post (WP) also reported on the 18th that Israel, the U.S., and Hamas are close to an agreement to halt hostilities for five days in exchange for the release of about 50 hostages held in the Gaza Strip, signaling that negotiations are nearing completion.

Michael Herzog, Israel’s ambassador to the U.S., appeared on ABC News on the 19th and said that the negotiations could be finalized within days, expressing hope that "a significant number of hostages could be released within days."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.