Israeli Media: "Negotiations with Hamas Nearing Agreement... At Least 50 Hostages Expected to Be Released"

Palestinian armed group Hamas is reported to have agreed to the release of hostages and a temporary ceasefire, and reports have emerged that negotiations are also nearing a conclusion on the Israeli side.

Families of Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza after being abducted by Hamas held a protest on the 15th of last month in front of the Tel Aviv Ministry of Defense building, urging the Israeli government to engage in negotiations for the release of the hostages.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

An anonymous senior Israeli official told local broadcaster Channel 12 on the 21st (local time), "We are very close to reaching an agreement for the release of hostages," updating on the situation.

An anonymous source explained, "There are still technical issues to resolve, but we have agreed on the release of at least 50 hostages, and discussions are underway to release dozens more in exchange for extending the ceasefire period." Channel 12 reported that the hostages to be released are expected to include children, mothers of children, and women.

Earlier, Hamas, which is holding Israeli hostages, and the armed group Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also explained similar negotiation terms to AFP news agency.

The negotiation proposal they disclosed to AFP included Hamas releasing 50 to 100 Israeli and foreign civilian hostages in exchange for Israel implementing a five-day ceasefire and releasing 300 Palestinian children and women imprisoned in Israeli jails.

Previously, 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 outlets 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 Washington Post (WP) also reported on the 18th that Israel, the United States, and Hamas are close to an agreement to halt fighting for five days in exchange for releasing about 50 hostages held in the Gaza Strip, signaling that negotiations are imminent.

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