A senior Hamas official has provided the BBC with a list of 34 hostages the Palestinian group claims it is ready to release as part of the initial phase of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel.
The list reportedly includes 10 women, 11 older men aged 50 to 85, and several young children, some of whom Hamas previously claimed were killed in Israeli airstrikes. The list also includes hostages identified as being unwell.
Hostage Status and Ceasefire Talks
It remains unclear how many hostages are still alive. The Israeli prime minister’s office denied receiving a list from Hamas.
Negotiations over a ceasefire resumed in Doha, Qatar, during the weekend, but progress appears limited. According to a Hamas official speaking anonymously to Reuters, any deal for the release of Israeli hostages hinges on Israel agreeing to withdraw from Gaza and implementing a permanent ceasefire.
“Until now, the occupation continues to be obstinate over an agreement regarding the issues of ceasefire and withdrawal and has made no step forward,” the Hamas official said.
Hostage Video Sparks Reactions
Hamas also released a video of 19-year-old Israeli captive Liri Albag, captured during the October 7 attack on the Nahal Oz army base near the Gaza border. In the video, Albag urges the Israeli government to negotiate a deal for her release.
Escalating Casualties
Israel’s military campaign, launched in response to the October 7 Hamas-led attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage, has resulted in significant casualties in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, at least 45,805 people in the territory have been killed since the campaign began. Over the weekend, Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed more than 100 people, including 88 on Saturday alone. On Sunday, an additional 17 people were reportedly killed in four separate strikes.
The Israeli military stated it had targeted over 100 “terrorist” sites in Gaza during the weekend, claiming to have killed dozens of Hamas militants.
Despite the discussions, violence and airstrikes persist, highlighting the challenges of achieving a lasting ceasefire.
