Hamas has announced that it has approved a list of 34 Israeli hostages to be returned as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at establishing a ceasefire in Gaza.
This claim comes at a time when tensions remain high between Israel and Hamas, with both sides engaged in complex discussions to halt violence and secure the release of captives.
However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office quickly refuted Hamas’s assertion, stating that the group has not provided any such list as of now.
This disagreement underscores the challenges both parties face as they navigate their respective interests in the negotiations.
The urgency for a ceasefire is heightened by the upcoming inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on January 20, prompting international efforts to resolve the 15-month conflict before the leadership transition.
In a related development, Hamas released a video featuring 19-year-old Israeli hostage Liri Albag, one of five female soldiers captured during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023.
In the video, Albag, appearing distressed, described her harrowing experience and urged the Israeli government to act urgently for her release. Her family has expressed deep concern over her mental state, appealing to world leaders to secure the safe return of all remaining hostages.
As of December 2024, approximately 96 hostages, including Israeli citizens and foreign nationals, remain in Hamas custody.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 45,000 Palestinian deaths.
Despite both sides expressing a willingness to negotiate, the path to a ceasefire remains uncertain. Indirect talks have resumed in Doha, Qatar, facilitated by Qatari and Egyptian mediators, as U.S. President Joe Biden has called on Hamas to finalize an agreement.
Meanwhile, Trump has warned of serious repercussions if the hostages are not released before he takes office.
