Hamas has stated that they do not have 40 captives who are still alive and meet the “humanitarian” criteria for a proposed agreement with Israel to exchange hostages for prisoners.
This claim was confirmed by a senior Israeli official during discussions in Cairo over the weekend. The militant group clarified that they do not have 40 hostages in Gaza who fit the criteria for the exchange, as reported by the Guardian UK.
The ceasefire negotiations have been centered around a plan supported by the US for a gradual exchange of hostages and prisoners.
Initially, women, children, the elderly, and sick individuals—including five female Israeli soldiers—would be swapped for around 900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, along with a six-week ceasefire in Gaza.
According to reports, Hamas seems hesitant to find additional male hostages to meet the required number for an exchange.
Obtaining accurate information on the number of hostages still alive, their captors, and their location has proven to be difficult.
CIA director William Burns has put forth a new proposal in an attempt to bridge the gap between the two parties.
The US is urging Israel to agree to release 900 Palestinian prisoners in the initial stage of a three-part agreement, as well as permit the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza.
The negotiations, which resumed on Sunday, have not shown any progress on a plan proposed by US, Qatari, and Egyptian mediators. Hamas has stated that they are reviewing the plan.
Approximately 240 hostages, including the remains of some individuals killed during Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7th, were taken into Gaza during the incident.
So far, 112 hostages have been returned alive to Israel, with 105 of them being released as part of an exchange last year.
