Israel reopens talks for hostage resolution
Israel offers proposals to end hostilities in return for Hamas releasing hostages This move marks a significant shift since the resumption of military operations and the halt of formal negotiations
Israel has suggested a new ceasefire in exchange for Hamas releasing the hostages still being held captive in Gaza, according to a source familiar with the discussions. This marks a notable change since Israel's military operations resumed in the conflict and formal negotiations for the release of hostages were stopped.
Raising hopes for a new ceasefire, the political leader of Hamas visited Egypt, a key mediator, on Wednesday.
The proposed general framework by Israel once again involves the phased release of hostages, including women, with the goal of ultimately freeing all hostages in Gaza.
The source emphasized that a potential deal is not expected to happen soon, and the consideration of proposals only signifies the start of negotiations at best. Nevertheless, Israel's apparent willingness to return to the negotiating table is significant. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government are under domestic pressure regarding the hostages, especially following the accidental killing of three Israeli hostages by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Another insider involved in the negotiations revealed that Israel has presented a proposal to Hamas through Qatar, suggesting a temporary ceasefire for a week to facilitate the release of hostages.
A wall in Tel Aviv is covered with images of hostages held in Gaza.
Amir Levy/Getty Images
Axios was the first to report that Israel is proposing a one-week ceasefire as part of the ongoing negotiations. This announcement coincides with Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas's political wing, traveling to Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials regarding the current situation in the Israel-Gaza conflict, as stated by Hamas in a Telegram message on Wednesday.
Hamas is also experiencing significant pressure, with US and Israeli officials suggesting that the IDF's targeting of southern Gaza could increase pressure on Hamas to agree to another temporary ceasefire.
Additionally, an Israeli official stated that Hamas is requesting the release of "more high-profile prisoners than previously," referring to the exchange of Palestinian women and teenage prisoners for hostages in the previous agreement between the two sides.
Last month's agreement was the product of extensive negotiations involving Israel, Hamas, and the US, with Qatar serving as a key mediator. The deal, which began on November 24, was extended twice before concluding on Friday, December 1.
During the first weeklong ceasefire, Hamas was required to release a minimum of 10 Israeli hostages each day, all of whom had been kidnapped on October 7. The truce ended when Hamas declined to release the remaining female hostages. Subsequently, US and Qatari officials have been engaged in ongoing discussions to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
80 Israelis, including some with dual citizenship, were released from captivity as a result of the framework. In addition, negotiations outside the truce led to the release of 23 Thai citizens, one Filipino, and one dual Israeli-Russian citizen. On the Palestinian side, a total of 240 individuals, mainly women and minors who had been detained but never charged, were freed from Israeli prisons.
