Israel is reportedly willing to lower its initial demand for Hamas to release 40 living hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. This comes after the terror group rejected an offer crafted by Qatari, Egyptian, and US negotiators, proposing the release of that many abductees.
According to several Hebrew media sites on Thursday evening, Israel is now open to accepting the release of just 20 hostages in the first phase of the truce deal. Israel stipulates that those released must be either women, men over 50 years old, or those who are seriously ill. Hamas previously claimed it does not hold that many hostages in those categories who are still alive.
As talks reached a deadlock, Israel’s war cabinet authorized its negotiating team to discuss this more flexible approach with an Egyptian delegation set to arrive in Tel Aviv on Friday for further discussions, Hebrew news sites reported.
Shortly after these reports, unnamed senior Israeli officials denied that the number under consideration was 20, insisting it was actually 33. This number represents the updated Israeli figure for the remaining female, elderly, and sick hostages believed to be alive in Gaza. Hamas contends that the number is closer to 20.
During the Thursday war cabinet meeting, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and IDF’s hostage envoy Nitzan Alon presented proposals on how Jerusalem could further adjust its position to secure an agreement with Hamas, as reported by Hebrew media sites. The reports did not specify the duration of the truce in exchange for the release of 20 or 33 hostages.
U.S. officials stated that the previous proposal rejected by Hamas would have included a six-week truce in the first phase, but it’s uncertain whether this timeframe would be shortened in exchange for Israel requesting the release of fewer hostages.
Speculation grew about the IDF’s anticipated operation to dismantle the remaining Hamas stronghold in Rafah as reports emerged of Israel easing its demands. Despite US opposition to the offensive, preparations for a Rafah operation may aim to pressure Hamas into accepting a deal. Hamas released a video of one of the hostages it holds on Wednesday, the first such video in nearly two months, potentially indicating its interest in striking a deal.