Gaza truce back on the table. Hamas agrees to resume negotiation with Israel, prisoners' release included
The Times of Israel service reported talks advancing in Qatar on Friday. According to three Israeli government officials, there is a focus on propositions made by Mossad chief David Barnea: a break in fighting for a week or two and the release of a specific group of Palestinian prisoners kept in Israel in exchange for Hamas releasing 40 detainees, including the seriously ill, those over the age of 60, and any remaining women in captivity.
One of the Israeli officials highlighted that while the arrangements made by Qatari negotiators are very preliminary, they represent a "positive development in the situation".
A previous agreement reached at the end of November, with the help of US, Qatari, and Egyptian authorities, successfully facilitated the release of over 100 out of approximately 240 people whom Hamas had abducted.
Rising victim count
Despite these advancements, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently underscored the necessity of "military pressure, operational pressure, and political pressure to secure the release of hostages, emphasizing that Israel won't stop fighting".
The conflict between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas was sparked by an attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities. The terrorists also kidnapped roughly 240 people, taking them to the Gaza Strip.
The Hamas-run health ministry in the Gaza Strip announced on Friday that the war, which commenced on October 7, has so far resulted in the death of 21,507 Palestinians.
