Hamas repeated on Tuesday its condition for Israel to end its assault on Gaza as part of any agreement to release hostages. This stance comes in response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s warning that there would be “hell to pay” if hostages are not freed by his January 20 inauguration.
Negotiations between Hamas and Israel have intensified, with Qatari and Egyptian mediators facilitating talks. Despite ongoing efforts, both sides blame each other for hindering progress.
Key Points of the Standoff:
Hamas’s Condition: A complete end to Israeli aggression and full withdrawal of troops from Gaza before any hostage release.
Israel’s Position: No cessation of war until Hamas is dismantled and all hostages are freed.
Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, accused Israel of obstructing the process and criticized Trump’s remarks, urging more diplomatic statements.
Developments in Hostage Negotiations
A Hamas official revealed that a list of 34 hostages submitted by Israel, including female soldiers and civilians, had been cleared for an initial exchange phase.
However, Israel has not received confirmation on whether the listed hostages are alive.
Humanitarian Toll in Gaza
The conflict, triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israeli territory, has resulted in nearly 46,000 Palestinian casualties, according to health officials in Gaza.
On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 10 Palestinians, with Gaza’s health ministry warning of an impending medical crisis due to fuel shortages for hospital generators.
Israeli Military Operations
Israel reported detaining 240 Palestinians in a raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, claiming substantial intelligence was gathered.
Footage released by the military alleged Hamas militants operated from the hospital, a claim denied by Hamas and Gaza’s health ministry.
As the January 20 deadline approaches, all eyes remain on the volatile situation, with hopes for a resolution amidst growing international pressure.
