Report: Hamas to Release Only 18 Hostages Unless Israel Halts War

By Yoni Weiss

Hamas has reportedly stipulated that it will only release 18 hostages unless Israel agrees to halt the ongoing conflict, according to a CNN report on Tuesday.

The network disclosed that Hamas rejected releasing solely live hostages in the initial phase of the deal and insisted that among the 33 hostages to be freed, some should include individuals who were deceased. Additionally, Hamas demanded Israel’s compliance with the release of any prisoner from its jails, paving the way for the potential release of Marwan Barghouti, imprisoned for over two decades for multiple murders and considered a prominent contender to succeed Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.

Among the Islamist terror group’s purported demands is allowing released Palestinians to remain in Yehudah and Shomron rather than being exiled to Gaza, a demand contrary to Israel’s stance. Hamas seeks the release of 30 Palestinians for each Israeli hostage freed, an increase from the previous demand of 20, and 50 for each female soldier, up from 40.

Despite Hamas’s reported acceptance of a ceasefire announced on Monday, Israeli action in Rafah proceeded, with Israel rejecting the call to end hostilities, labeling Hamas’s proposal radical and unacceptable. Nonetheless, an Israeli delegation is set to participate in Cairo talks, amid accusations that the U.S. had set a trap for Israel.

Earlier reports detailed Hamas’s proposal for a three-stage agreement, with the first stage lasting 42 days. It involved the release of 33 Israeli captives, including civilians, soldiers, children under 19, adults over 50, and sick or injured individuals. Hamas would gradually release three hostages every seven days, beginning with women, and if the number of living Israeli hostages did not reach 33, the shortfall would be compensated with returned bodies. Subsequent stages would entail the release of remaining hostages and exchanges of bodies and remains.

The War Cabinet convened to deliberate on whether the Cairo-bound delegation would receive a mandate for negotiations. The unanimous decision was that Hamas’s response was inadequate for Israel’s acceptance.

Hamas’s proposal delineates categories for the release of living or deceased hostages, with corresponding conditions for prisoner exchanges. It also outlines temporary cessation of military operations, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and humanitarian measures, including the entry of aid and rebuilding infrastructure.

Furthermore, the deal involves the return of displaced persons, improved imprisonment conditions for Palestinians, and a suspension of flights over Gaza during specified periods.