Hamas knowledgeable negotiators on Monday that not all the 33 hostages who could be freed within the first section of a attainable cease-fire take care of Israel are nonetheless residing and that the stays of those that have died could be among the many preliminary releases, in keeping with two individuals acquainted with the talks.
The disclosure got here as a part of Hamas’s counteroffer to Israel’s newest proposal, which envisions a first-phase, six-week cease-fire in change for the return of a few of the hostages taken in the course of the Oct. 7 terrorist assaults. It was not clear whether or not Hamas revealed how most of the 33 are nonetheless alive and what number of are lifeless.
The primary group of hostages meant to be freed within the preliminary section of the proposed settlement is meant to incorporate girls, older males and the sick and wounded who’re among the many greater than 100 believed nonetheless to be held captive. The Israelis initially wished 40 to be launched within the first section however got here to grasp that Hamas didn’t maintain that many who match the standards. Israeli and American officers have lengthy assumed that a few of the hostages could also be lifeless.
The information that the primary group of hostages to be launched would come with the stays of some taken seven months in the past will certainly upset households who’ve been urgent the Israeli authorities to do extra to free their family members. The destiny of the hostages has change into a serious challenge with the Israeli public as hundreds of demonstrators have poured into the streets to stress Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s authorities to make a deal. Protesters blocked main roads in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv late Monday after Hamas’s counteroffer.
Israeli officers stated that the Hamas counteroffer was not acceptable, however they’ve agreed to maintain negotiating. Officers from numerous nations serving as intermediaries will collect once more in Cairo this week to go over the counteroffer and see if additional progress could be made. Israel has agreed to ship a delegation to overview the proposal and ponder additional concessions.
