Hamas reportedly told negotiators on Monday that not all of the 33 hostages scheduled to be released in the first phase of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel are alive and that the remains of the dead They also announced that they would be included in the first release. Two people familiar with the talks.
The disclosure comes as part of Hamas' counteroffer to Israel's latest proposal, which envisages a first phase, six-week ceasefire in exchange for the return of some of the hostages captured in the October 7 terrorist attack. It was conducted. It is not clear whether Hamas has disclosed how many of the 33 people survived and how many died.
The first group of hostages to be released in the early stages of the proposed agreement is said to include women, elderly men and the sick and injured, some of whom are believed to be still being held as prisoners of war. Contains more than one person. The Israelis had initially hoped to release 40 people in the first phase, but came to realize that Hamas did not have enough people to meet the criteria. Israeli and American officials have long assumed that some of the hostages may have died.
News that the first group of hostages to be freed will include the remains of those captured seven months ago has upset families who have called on the Israeli government to do more to free their loved ones. That's for sure. The fate of the hostages has become a hot topic among Israelis as thousands of demonstrators poured into the streets to press Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government for a deal. Protesters blocked a major road between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv late on Monday after Hamas counterattacked.
Israeli officials said they did not accept Hamas's counter-offer, but agreed to continue negotiations. Officials from the countries acting as mediators are expected to meet again in Cairo this week to consider their counter-proposals and see if further progress can be made. Israel agreed to send a delegation to review the proposal and consider further concessions.