Media: Hamas, Israel debate numbers in hostage release deal

Negotiations between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israeli officials have intensified, with both sides discussing the number of hostages to be released in the initial phase of a potential agreement.

An Israeli delegation travelled to Qatar on the evening of December 16 to engage in talks aimed at finalizing the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli news outlet Ynet.

A senior Israeli official stated that while most details of the agreement have been resolved, the primary point of contention remains the number of hostages to be released in the first phase.

"The negotiations are now focused on the number and identities of the hostages," the official told Ynet, expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached by the end of December.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia's Al Hadath channel cited unnamed sources reporting "significant progress" in the talks, suggesting that both sides might finalize the agreement within weeks.

A senior Hamas member also echoed these sentiments, telling Ynet that "unprecedented progress" had been made regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages.

Efforts to secure the release of captives have faced significant hurdles over the past year. In late November 2023, a temporary truce facilitated the release of 105 hostages over the course of one week. However, subsequent rounds of negotiations have stalled.

Israeli authorities estimate that 96 of the 251 hostages abducted during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, remain in Gaza. Over the last 14 months, Israeli forces have rescued eight hostages and recovered the bodies of 38 individuals.

By Khagan Isayev