Israeli Officials Outline the Terms of a Hostage Agreement That Will Result in the Release of 33 Captives in the First Phase

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Israeli officials have disclosed that talks with Hamas regarding a ceasefire agreement, which would lead to the release of some hostages, are now in the “advanced stages.”

During a briefing with military and diplomatic reporters, the officials noted that the discussions, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and both the outgoing and incoming U.S. administrations, are making headway. However, they emphasized that “the deal is not finalized.”

These advancements are attributed to the collapse of the Iranian-backed Axis in the Middle East, which includes the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and Hezbollah’s defeat in Lebanon, putting more pressure on Hamas.

Additionally, the officials acknowledged that pressure and threats from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have played a role in bringing Hamas to the negotiating table. They emphasized that Israel is collaborating with both the Biden and Trump teams, including Biden’s envoy Brett McGurk and Trump official Steve Witkoff, while the two administrations are also in coordination with each other.

The first phase of the potential agreement would involve the release of 33 “humanitarian” hostages — women, children, elderly, sick individuals, and female soldiers. The Israeli officials stated that while these hostages are all officially considered alive, Israel has not yet received confirmation about their current condition.

Should the first phase proceed, Israel would begin discussions for a second phase to release the remaining captives — male soldiers and men of military age — as well as the bodies of deceased hostages, after 16 days of the agreement’s implementation. The officials also dismissed a report suggesting that Israeli hostages would only be freed a week after the ceasefire takes effect.

Israel is holding onto key “assets,” including high-profile terrorists and strategic territory within Gaza, which will be used as bargaining chips in the second stage of talks to ensure that every hostage is brought home, the officials said.

Under the full ceasefire agreement, Israel would withdraw from most parts of Gaza and release Palestinian prisoners, including terrorists involved in deadly attacks. However, the officials clarified that high-profile “murderer” terrorists would not be transferred to the West Bank, and no individuals who participated in the October 7 Hamas attack will be freed.

The officials further clarified that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would remain in a newly established buffer zone inside Gaza to better protect Israeli border communities. Israel will not fully pull out of Gaza until the war’s goals are achieved, including the return of all hostages.

In the interim between the two phases, Israel will maintain control over the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border and implement “security arrangements” for Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza attempting to return to northern Gaza, the officials said.

{Matzav.com}

3 COMMENTS

  1. Its not a normal deal to do it in phases! Let them all out at once!!! They seem to know everything about the animals they want back!

  2. Something about this deal doesn’t sound normal. Who makes deals with animals who invade your country, kill and torture your citizens and take many as hostages and then you make a deal? Then you fight to eliminate this enemy, many soldiers are killed and then you make a deal? Doesn’t this cheapen the lives of all those who have died? Those who have died will have die in vein. What a sad day.

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