Hamas said on Wednesday it would release 10 hostages as it continued to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza, giving hope for an end to the almost year-long conflict. It came after four days of indirect discussions in Doha, led by Qatar, with the United States providing backing and voicing hopes of agreeing a 60-day truce by the end of the week.
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has confirmed the hostage release is included in the suggested deal. Of 251 kidnapped by Hamas during its October 7, 2023 attack on Israeli border communities, there are 49 still held captive in Gaza, 27 of whom are suspected to be deceased.
Hamas stressed that serious issues have yet to be addressed, such as the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, unobstructed humanitarian assistance, and sustainable peace assurances. Nevertheless, the organization pointed out it had “demonstrated the necessary flexibility” to proceed with the negotiations.
Israeli officials echoed a cautiously optimistic tone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following a meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, told Fox Business, “I think we’re getting closer to a deal. There’s a good chance that we’ll have it.” Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said the IDF’s operations had helped set the stage for a possible agreement, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the deal as “achievable.”
President Isaac Herzog cast the moment as a possible watershed for the region, labeling it a “historic opportunity” in the context of wider geopolitical changes.
In spite of the careful advancement, Hamas insists it will never give in and still calls for an end to Israel’s occupation. Israel, however, is still on a mission to dismantle Hamas as a threat to security. The conflict, which started with the fatal Hamas attack that took more than 1,200 lives, has so far killed over 57,000 in Gaza, as per local health officials.