Hamas has proposed releasing 34 Israeli hostages as part of the “first phase” of a potential prisoner swap agreement, according to a Hamas official on Sunday.
The announcement comes amid ongoing indirect talks in Qatar aimed at securing a truce and resolving the hostage crisis between Israel and the Palestinian militant group.
The negotiations have been facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, as part of efforts to end the conflict that began on October 7, 2023.
Israel has confirmed the resumption of talks, but tensions remain high as airstrikes in Gaza continue, with at least 23 people reported killed on Sunday alone.
The Hamas official confirmed that the 34 hostages to be released would include women, children, the elderly, and the sick, but added that some might already be dead.
Hamas has requested a week of calm to verify the condition of the hostages before finalizing the exchange.
In response, Israeli authorities have stated that they have not yet received a list of the hostages to be released.
The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, assured hostages’ families that efforts to free the captives are ongoing, while international pressure continues to mount for a resolution.
Despite the ongoing talks, airstrikes in Gaza have escalated, with numerous casualties reported as Israel’s military targets militant sites.
The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, with Israeli and Palestinian casualties mounting on both sides.
