Hamas Lists 34 Hostages for Potential Release Under Ceasefire Talks

The list reportedly includes 10 women, 11 older men aged between 50 and 85, and several children, some of whom Hamas had previously claimed were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Additionally, the list includes individuals described as sick or requiring medical attention.

Uncertainty remains about the condition of those listed, as it is unclear how many are alive. Reports from Hamas-run Gaza health authorities indicated over 100 fatalities due to Israeli airstrikes over the weekend.

The Israeli government has denied receiving any new list from Hamas, with the Prime Minister’s office stating, “The list of abductees published in the media was not passed on to Israel by Hamas but was originally passed from Israel to intermediaries as early as July 2024.” They added that there has been no confirmation from Hamas regarding the status of those named.

Hamas’s release of the list is seen by some as a move to increase public and international pressure on the Israeli government amid ongoing negotiations. Talks resumed in Doha, Qatar, over the weekend but have yet to achieve significant progress.

According to a Hamas official, any agreement to return hostages would require Israel to agree to a permanent ceasefire and withdraw from Gaza. “Until now, the occupation continues to be obstinate over an agreement on the issues of the ceasefire and withdrawal and has made no step forward,” the official stated anonymously.