Israel and Hamas are engaged in a tense back-and-forth regarding a possible ceasefire deal aimed at halting the violence in Gaza and securing the release of captives.
On Sunday, a Hamas official claimed that the group had approved a list of 34 Israeli hostages to be returned as part of the ongoing negotiations. However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office swiftly denied the assertion, stating that Hamas had yet to provide any such list "up to this moment."
The dispute over the details of the ceasefire deal highlights the complexity of the situation, as both sides seek to protect their respective interests.
The push for a ceasefire intensifies as the inauguration of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on January 20 looms, with international efforts focused on ending the 15-month conflict before the change in leadership.
The hostage crisis continues to overshadow the discussions. Hamas has released a video showing 19-year-old Israeli hostage Liri Albag, one of five female soldiers taken during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack.
In the undated video, Albag, speaking under duress, expressed the emotional toll of her captivity, calling for the Israeli government to secure her release. She recounted the harrowing experience of being held for over 450 days, describing her ordeal as "an extremely terrifying nightmare."
Albag's family, devastated by her apparent psychological distress in the video, has called on the Israeli government and world leaders to act urgently to bring all remaining hostages home alive. "It's time to make decisions as if your own children were there," they said, expressing their anguish over their loved one's deteriorating condition.
The Israeli Prime Minister's office responded to the video, confirming that Benjamin Netanyahu had spoken with Albag's family, assuring them that efforts to bring the hostages home are ongoing. Netanyahu stressed that anyone who harms hostages will bear full responsibility for their actions.
As of December 2024, roughly 96 hostages remain in Hamas custody, including both Israeli citizens and foreign nationals. The ongoing conflict has already claimed the lives of over 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
On Saturday, Israel conducted airstrikes on homes in Gaza City, killing at least 17 people, including children.
While both sides express willingness to reach an agreement, the path to a ceasefire remains fraught with uncertainty. Indirect talks resumed in Doha, Qatar, on Friday, facilitated by Qatari and Egyptian mediators. U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Hamas to finalize an agreement, while Trump has warned of severe consequences if the hostages are not released before his inauguration.
