“Possibility of Successful Release Negotiations for 100 Hostages Held by Hamas, Including 7 U.S. Citizens”
On the 11th (local time), it was reported that the Israeli Defense Minister mentioned the possibility of successful negotiations for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian group Hamas. According to the Times of Israel, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, during a phone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, confirmed the practical possibility of securing the release of all 100 hostages, which include 7 American citizens.
The White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is scheduled to visit Qatar and Egypt, the mediating countries, on the 12th to support the negotiations for the release of the hostages.
After Israel’s military killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza in October, there were heightened expectations for a ceasefire negotiation, but those talks did not progress as Israel did not accept Hamas’s demand for an immediate withdrawal from Gaza.
On the 27th of last month, there was a renewed hope for a Gaza ceasefire when Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah entered into a 60-day temporary ceasefire. A Hamas political bureau official expressed hope for a successful agreement in an interview with AP News on the 6th, stating that hostage release negotiations had resumed.
Hamas conducted a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th last year, during which they kidnapped and killed civilians. Of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas, it is estimated that 100 remain in captivity, excluding those who have been rescued, released, or deceased.
In retaliation, Israel invaded Gaza and continues to carry out operations to destroy Hamas. The Israeli military claims to have killed most of the Hamas leadership, including Yahya Sinwar. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that Israel will continue to exert influence in Gaza even after the end of hostilities.