Hamas says it is ready to release 34 hostages under a ceasefire agreement, reports say Israel-Palestine Conflicts News

Israeli and Hamas officials are holding talks in Qatar in a renewed bid to secure a ceasefire.

Hamas has said it is ready to release 34 hostages as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel, Reuters and AFP news reported, citing an official from the Palestinian faction.

The Palestinian Authority, which rules the Gaza Strip, has approved the release of hostages “as part of the first phase of a prisoner exchange agreement”, AFP reported on Sunday, citing an unnamed Hamas official.

The first exchange will include all women, children, elderly and sick captives held in Gaza, AFP reported the official as saying.

Reuters quoted an unnamed Hamas official as saying that a ceasefire would depend on Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Hamas had yet to provide a list of hostages for their release.

These reports come as talks continue to reach an agreement to end the violence in Qatar.

The administration of the President of the United States Joe Biden, who is the mediator of the talks, is hoping that there will be progress at the last minute in the negotiations before the President-elect of the US Donald Trump takes office on January 20.

Reporting from the Qatari capital Doha, Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem said there are still significant differences between the parties.

“In the end, a political decision is needed. And this decision is currently facing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Hamas has thrown the ball into Israel’s court. And it is up to Israel to take this to the second stage or not,” said Hashem.

Hashem said the talks were taking place in the context of Trump’s warnings about the consequences of not reaching an agreement.

“Trump warned a few weeks ago that if there is no ceasefire when he takes office, all hell will break loose.” So, who are you warning? Is it Netanyahu? It’s impossible. Hamas? It is very possible,” Hashem said.

“So, how will Hamas deal with this? Will they give up what they wanted? Especially the issue of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and the permanent ceasefire. Because right now, when Hamas releases the hostages it holds, there is no guarantee that this war will end. That is why Hamas wants a clear commitment from Israel.”

Israel on Sunday continued its bombardment of Gaza, with its military saying it had struck more than 100 “targets” in the enclave over the weekend.

Health officials in Gaza said Israeli strikes killed more than 100 Palestinians, including five in a house in the Nuseirat camp and five in the Khan Younis police station.

More than 45,800 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began the war in Gaza in response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on the country.