By The Jerusalem Post (Politics) | Created at 2025-01-01 05:21:19 | Updated at 2025-01-04 01:13:07
2 days ago
A hostage-Gaza ceasefire deal is unlikely to be completed by the time United States President Joe Biden leaves office, Arab mediators told the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.
Despite new hopes for a deal and renewed talks, the Arab mediators claimed that Hamas and Israel have hit an impasse.
Hamas reportedly waived the possibility of discussions for a complete end to the war the terror group started until the later stages of a deal, instead focusing on a temporary ceasefire, the release of security prisoners from Israeli prisons and an increase of aid entering the Gaza Strip.
The discussions centered around a 60 day ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of 30 hostages which meet certain conditions, according to the Wall Street Journal.
On Tuesday, it was reported that Hamas had rejected 12 of the 34 hostages requested for release by Israel - instead Hamas reportedly offered the release of 22 living hostages and 12 bodies.
Egyptian sources previously reported that Hamas refused 11 of the 34 called for by Israel, considering them to be soldiers.
Adding to the stagnating hostage discussions, sources previously told the Jerusalem Post that Hamas had failed to provide a list of living hostages - further complicating discussions.
