Despite the ongoing ceasefire talks, Israel has struck Gaza multiple today on Wednesday, killing dozens [Getty/file photo]
Hamas on Wednesday said it would release 10 captives as part of Gaza ceasefire talks after Israel struck an upbeat note about the prospects for a deal to stop the fighting in the war-torn Palestinian territory, where over 57,000 have been killed.
The Palestinian group’s statement came after four days of indirect talks brokered by Qatar and as the United States signalled its belief that agreement for a 60-day truce would be struck before the end of the week.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said part of the deal would be the return of 10 living hostages held in the territory since 7 October, 2023.
Of 251 hostages seized during the assault on southern Israel, 49 are still held in the territory, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
In its statement, Hamas said key hurdles remained in the talks, notably the free flow of aid into Gaza, Israeli military withdrawal from the territory and “real guarantees” for a lasting peace.
But it added: “The movement displayed the required flexibility and agreed to release 10 prisoners.”
“Despite the difficulty of negotiations over these issues until now due to the intransigence of the occupation, we continue to work seriously and with a positive spirit with the mediators to overcome the hurdles and end the suffering of our people and ensure their aspirations to freedom, safety and a dignified life.”
Israel earlier appeared to fall in behind US President Donald Trump and his optimism for an end to the conflict, as the talks in Doha stretched into a fourth day with reported complaints on its stance on aid.
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said in a televised address that military action had prepared the ground for a deal that would bring home the Israeli captives.
Netanyahu, who after talks with Trump in Washington on Tuesday night was still uncompromising in his determination to “crush” Hamas, said he believed an agreement was on the horizon.
“I think we’re getting closer to a deal,” he told FOX Business Network’s Mornings with Maria programme. “There’s a good chance that we’ll have it.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also said he thought a temporary deal was “achievable” and could even herald talks for a more lasting peace, while President Isaac Herzog talked of “a historic opportunity” for change.
‘Mostly listening’
Netanyahu is insistent he wants to permanently neutralise the threat to Israel from Hamas.
But he is under increasing pressure at home and abroad to end the war, particularly as the death toll of soldiers killed by homemade bombs and ambushes in Gaza increases.
Hamas, however, has vowed “Gaza will not surrender”.
One Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations in Doha said the Israeli delegation was “mostly listening rather than negotiating, which reflects Netanyahu’s ongoing policy of obstruction and sabotaging any potential agreement”.
The Palestinian group had previously rebuffed pressure to release all the captives, demanding an end to the war and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel wants to ensure militants in Gaza never again threaten its security.
Qatari mediators had warned on Tuesday it would take time to seal a deal.
‘Like an earthquake’
On the ground, Gaza’s civil defence agency said Wednesday 26 people were killed in Israeli strikes, at least six of them children.
“The explosion was massive, like an earthquake,” said Zuhair Judeh, 40, who witnessed one of the strikes, which prompted frantic scenes as people scrabbled in the rubble for survivors.
“The bodies and remains of the martyrs were scattered,” he added, calling it “a horrific massacre”.
In response to an AFP request for comment on a strike on the Al-Shati camp near Gaza City, the Israeli military said it “struck a number of Hamas terrorists”.
Due to restrictions imposed on media in the Gaza Strip and difficulties accessing the area, AFP is unable to independently verify the death tolls and details shared by the parties involved.
Israel’s military campaign has killed at least 57,680 people in Gaza, with thousands more feared buried under rubble. UN experts, NGOs and some world leaders have accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinian people of Gaza.
