Israel and Hamas deadlocked over hostage negotiations
Hamas is demanding additional concessions in exchange for the release of 11 men whom Israel wants on the hostage release list. This information was reported by the Egyptian television channel Al-Ghad. Currently, the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations are not yielding 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, Hamas is seeking further concessions. Details are 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 remind us that the first round of releases may also include hostages who are not connected to the military.
Israel insists that the agreement should also include 11 men whom Hamas classifies as soldiers because it considers all Israeli men of conscription age as military personnel.
Talks with Israel: Here are Hamas' conditions
Hamas demands "special consideration" for its demands regarding Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. It wants categories of prisoners that were not previously considered to be included in the exchange, as reported by Al-Ghad.
The discussions on a ceasefire also include 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 details of which are being negotiated with the help of Egypt and Qatar. The President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, even sought help from Elon Musk at the beginning of December, underlining the importance of international involvement in this process.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a truce and the release of hostages have not yet led to significant results. Both sides blame each other for the difficulties in dialogue.
The mentioned Egypt and Qatar play a key role as mediators, striving to reach a compromise by proposing a 60-day truce. The proposal involves the release of the most vulnerable hostages - children, women, and the elderly - but it still faces resistance. Israel emphasizes that it will not cease military actions until Hamas is defeated, while Hamas demands the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The proposal, also supported 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 was talk of a potential breakthrough, but no agreement has been announced yet.
