Israel and Hamas remain locked in a heated exchange over a potential ceasefire agreement aimed at ending violence in Gaza and facilitating the release of hostages.
On Sunday, Hamas claimed to have finalized a list of 34 Israeli hostages for release as part of the negotiations. However, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office refuted this, stating that no such list had been shared “as of now.”
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The disagreement underscores the complexities of the ceasefire talks, with both sides prioritizing their strategic interests. Pressure mounts as international efforts seek to resolve the 15-month-long conflict before U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
The hostage crisis remains central to the discussions. Hamas recently released a video of Liri Albag, a 19-year-old Israeli soldier taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. In the undated video, Albag, speaking under duress, described her 450-day ordeal as “a terrifying nightmare” and urged the Israeli government to secure her release.
Albag’s family, deeply troubled by her evident psychological distress, called on global leaders to take urgent action. They implored decision-makers to act as if their own children were in captivity, emphasizing the critical need for swift resolution.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reassured Albag’s family that efforts to bring the hostages home continue, warning that anyone harming them would face full accountability.
As of December 2024, Hamas is holding 96 hostages, including Israeli and foreign nationals. Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 45,000 Palestinian deaths since the conflict began.
On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City killed at least 17 people, including children, further escalating tensions.
Despite a willingness to negotiate, the road to a ceasefire remains uncertain. Indirect talks, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, resumed in Doha on Friday. U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Hamas to finalize a deal, while Trump has threatened severe consequences if the hostages are not released before his presidency begins.
