April 16, 2024 12:06 a.m. ET
Hamas considerably reduces variety of hostages launched underneath ceasefire settlement, Israeli officers say
From CNN’s Jeremy Diamond in Tel Aviv
Hamas has reduce by greater than half the variety of hostages it intends to launch within the first part of the proposed cease-fire settlement, in keeping with Israeli officers near the negotiations.
In its newest counteroffer, Hamas provided to launch fewer than 20 hostages in change for a six-week cease-fire, lower than half the variety of 40 hostages that had been the idea of months of negotiations, and a major departure from negotiations. It was an enormous setback.
A senior Biden administration official confirmed that Hamas is specializing in these 20 people within the first part of a possible deal. The official additionally acknowledged that Hamas had advised mediators that the one remaining hostages have been about 20 ladies, sick and aged males.
In change for a discount within the variety of hostages, Hamas additionally demanded the discharge of extra Palestinian prisoners and a rise within the variety of prisoners serving life sentences, the official stated.
Israeli officers say Hamas’ newest counter-offer, which Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar doesn’t wish to conform to within the Gaza Strip, seeks to use the rift between the United States and Israel over Israeli navy operations in Gaza and home stress on the Israeli authorities. He stated that this exhibits that he’s doing so.
Bassem Naim, a Hamas spokesman, stated the group was proposing to “launch three captured Israelis each week,” however that “nobody is speaking concerning the ultimate quantity.” No,” he stated.
Beyond the proportion of Palestinian prisoners, Hamas continues to demand a everlasting ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and ensures concerning unrestricted Palestinian entry to northern Gaza.
“I feel it is partly as a result of Hamas thinks they’re successful, as a result of their definition of success is survival, and up to now they’ve survived,” the Biden official stated. . “The longer the battle drags on, the extra rebellious Hamas turns into.”
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