An Israeli official clarified this evening, after reports surfaced that Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire framework, that Israel’s stance regarding the release of all hostages has not shifted.
According to details of the arrangement Hamas is said to have accepted, the group would hand over 10 living hostages along with the remains of 18 murdered hostages. In exchange, Israel would free 140 terrorists serving life terms and another 60 prisoners serving lengthy sentences of 15 years or more.
If this outline is correct, it would mean that 10 of the captives would still remain in Gaza under Hamas’s control.
The Israeli source emphasized that Israel’s conditions for ending the conflict have not been altered, stressing that all 50 hostages still held in Gaza must be released as part of any agreement.
Reports from Arab media indicate that the proposal also calls for the IDF to pull back as far as one kilometer in northern and eastern sections of Gaza, though not from Al-Shujaiya or Beit Lahia. Adjustments to the positioning of Israeli forces in those areas would also take place. Additionally, the plan allows for a large-scale entry of humanitarian supplies once the deal goes into effect, consistent with the January 19 agreement. The assistance package would include fuel, water, electricity, medical and bakery equipment, and machinery for clearing rubble.
Further details note that the distribution of aid would be managed by the UN and its affiliates, the Red Crescent, and other international organizations. The Rafah border crossing would reopen in both directions under prior terms. Moreover, the arrangement specifies that for each Israeli hostage’s body returned, the remains of 10 terrorists would be transferred to the Palestinian side.
