Talks between Israel and Hamas regarding the Gaza hostages and ceasefire agreement have reached some progress, but are “moving slowly,” an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday.
The official added that Hamas has not yet handed over the list of living hostages who will be released under the agreement.
Hamas claims it is impossible to contact all the hostages and that compiling a list will take several days after the ceasefire begins. But “this is a false claim. Hamas has the ability to do it now, it just doesn’t want to make the list,” the official said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night approved the continuation of the hostage deal and ceasefire negotiations in Doha, Israeli media reported. The Israeli delegation participating in the talks is scheduled to leave for Qatar on Friday.
As the countdown continues to US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the question remains whether it will have any impact on Israel and Hamas or put pressure on them to reach some kind of agreement.
A person familiar with the matter told the Post: “The mediator is making serious and sustained efforts to bridge the gap. The dynamics have changed. There is even some movement and flexibility. But this does not mean there is a deal.”
There are still 100 hostages held by Hamas since October 7, 2023. Hamas kidnapped 251 people during the massacre, most of them civilians.
The Hostage Families Forum welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision to send an Israeli delegation to Qatar. “Do not let this window of opportunity pass you by,” the forum wrote. “The 100 hostages held deep in the Hamas tunnels in Gaza do not have time to drag their feet in negotiations. We demand that the team be given full authority to secure an agreement that guarantees the return of those killed and fallen for their rehabilitation and burial. ”
“Only continued military pressure will yield results.”
Conversely, the Tikva Forum, which represents some of the hostage families, was not satisfied with the delegation’s approval.
“Going after Hamas and its terrorist financier Qatar will only lead to the release of the hostages,” the Tikva Forum said. “This action shows us as weak, and our enemies continue to use this to outwit and abuse us. Only continued pressure, reflected in the full occupation of the northern Gaza Strip, will bring results. I guess.”
We bring you the latest news!
Subscribe to Jerusalem Post Newsletter
The Tikva Forum added that with military pressure and “a firm demand that the Palestinians not return to (northern Gaza) until all the hostages are returned, Hamas will release them all.”
“Hamas fears more than anything that it will lose control of the northern Gaza Strip. We must listen to it, understand its fear, and attack it where it hurts most.”
