Hamas speaks with Iran about possible release of Israeli hostages

Hamas is ready to release civilian hostages being held captive in Gaza, an Iranian politician said on October 26.

According to the Daily Mail, Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Hamas had told its backers in Tehran that it was ready to hand over the hostages seized in Israel.

Gunmen seized 224 hostages and have released just four so far, with Hamas leaders claiming 'almost fifty' have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.

Mediators in Qatar have led talks over their release and a negotiator said there had been progress in recent days.

Dr Mohammed Al Khulaifi, the Qatari foreign minister, said negotiators were working towards the release of all the civilian hostages, although he declined to say if any release was imminent.

Qatar's foreign ministry has previously confirmed that talks included negotiations over a possible prisoner swap. 

Mr Amir-Abdollahian told a UN general assembly that Hamas had spoken with Iran about a possible release. 

He said: "The Islamic Republic of Iran stands ready to play its part in this very important humanitarian endeavour, along with Qatar and Türkiye."

"Naturally, the release of the 6,000 Palestinian prisoners is another necessity and responsibility of the global community."

Earlier, Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri told Hezbollah's television channel al-Manar that Israeli hostages would be swapped for Hamas fighters. 

His comments followed a 2011 agreement between Israel and Hamas to release a captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian and Arab-Israeli prisoners.