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Hamas has revealed that not all of the 33 hostages slated for release in a potential cease-fire deal with Israel are still alive. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Hamas has indicated that the remains of deceased hostages will also be included in the initial releases.
This disclosure was part of Hamas’s response to Israel’s latest proposal for a six-week cease-fire, in exchange for the return of some hostages taken during a terrorist attack in October. It is unclear how many of the 33 hostages are living and how many have passed away.
The first group of hostages to be released in the proposed agreement is expected to include women, older men, and the sick and wounded among the more than 100 captives believed to still be held. Israeli officials had initially requested 40 hostages to be released in the first phase, but Hamas clarified that they did not have that many who met the criteria. There have been assumptions that some hostages may have died.
The news that deceased hostages will be among the first group to be freed is likely to distress the families of the captives, who have been urging the Israeli government to take more action. The issue of the hostages has become a central concern for the Israeli public, with protests erupting in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv following Hamas’s counteroffer.
Although Israeli officials have deemed the Hamas counteroffer unacceptable, they have agreed to continue negotiations. Intermediaries from various countries will convene in Cairo this week to review the counteroffer and explore potential progress. Israel has also agreed to send a delegation to assess the proposal and consider further compromises.
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