hamas-to-release-large-number-of-hostages-under-new-deal

Hamas has agreed to free a greater number of hostages under a new truce deal that it had previously agreed to, with the United States allegedly telling the group that it will put more pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war.

 

The recent negotiations in the Qatari capital ended in a deadlock over Israeli demands that Hamas release 11 hostages in exchange for an extended ceasefire, while Hamas only offered to release five.

 

Shortly after meeting President Donald Trump, the Netanyahu government softened their stance and expressed its willingness to engage in fresh negotiations with a lesser number of hostages to be released.

 

If the upcoming deal between the two sides is reached, the hostages will be released in the two stages, alongside agreements on the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

 

A Hamas official told reporters on Friday that it hoped its delegation in Cairo, headed by the group’s chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya, would lead to “real progress towards reaching an agreement to end the war, halt the aggression and ensure the full withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza.”

 

In a statement on Sunday evening, Netanyahu’s office said that during a conversation between the premier and the family of hostage Eitan Mor, he stressed that efforts to free those held captive by Hamas are continuing “at this very moment.”

 

After meeting with Trump last week in Washington, Netanyahu agreed to soften his demands, the officials said.

 

Last month, Israel demanded the release of 11 living hostages in exchange for restoring the ceasefire. Hamas said it was only willing to release five living hostages.

 

For several weeks, both sides refused to compromise further, and the talks remained at a deadlock as Israel expanded its military campaign throughout the Gaza Strip, which it resumed on March 18.

 

Meanwhile, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, recently informed reporters that the US was making all possible efforts to reach a meaningful and agreeable ceasefire in the Gaza war.

 

Trump, during his recent meeting with the Israeli premier, allegedly took a strong stance and asked Netanyahu to soften his approach to getting hostages back from Gaza.

 

The stance from both sides has somehow frustrated the Trump administration, which is seeking an immediate solution to the ongoing crisis.