Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of a potential ceasefire agreement being finalized in Doha, according to two Israeli officials.
Israel believes most of the 33 hostages are alive, according to one source, but the bodies of those killed will likely also be handed over during the initial 42-day ceasefire.
Hamas and its allies still hold 94 hostages taken in Israel as of October 7, 2023, of which at least 34 are dead, according to the Israeli government.
The Israeli official said the parties appear to be close to reaching a deal and that Israel is prepared to implement it immediately once it is signed.
A diplomat close to the negotiations told CNN that a round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Doha this Tuesday (14) to finalize any outstanding issues.
Israeli forces would maintain a presence along the Philadelphia Corridor — a narrow strip of land along the border between Egypt and Gaza — during the first phase of the agreement, officials said. The presence of Israeli troops along the Corridor previously contributed to the collapse of a possible agreement in September during the last round of negotiations.
Israel would also maintain a demilitarized zone inside Gaza along the border with Israel, the official added, without specifying how wide that zone would be — another subject of disagreement during the negotiations.
Residents of northern Gaza would be allowed to return freely to the north of the Strip, but an Israeli official claimed there would be “security,” without specification, in place.
Palestinian prisoners found responsible for killing Israelis would not be released to the West Bank, the official said, but rather to the Gaza Strip or abroad following agreements with foreign countries.
THE CNN has contacted Hamas for comment.
A senior Israeli official told reporters on Monday (13) that a “breakthrough” in negotiations occurred on Sunday (12) during the meeting between the director of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, David Barnea, and mediators in Doha, Qatar. .
“There are talks about an agreement in the near future — it is impossible to say whether it is a matter of hours or days,” he highlighted.
The official highlighted that Israel is prepared to quickly implement the agreement, but the agreement must first go through the Security Cabinet and the government as a whole. The government must also give time for those opposed to the agreement to petition the Supreme Court.
Negotiations to reach the second phase of a ceasefire agreement – which aims to end the war – would begin on the 16th day of the proposal’s implementation.
“We are closer than ever to a deal, but mediators in Doha are still awaiting official responses from both sides,” shared an Arab official.
Understand the conflict in the Gaza Strip
Israel has carried out intense airstrikes in the Gaza Strip since last year, after Hamas invaded the country and killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli counts. Furthermore, the radical group holds dozens of hostages.
Hamas does not recognize Israel as a state and claims Israeli territory for Palestine.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly promised to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities and recover people detained in Gaza.
In addition to the air offensive, the Israeli Army carries out land incursions into Palestinian territory. This caused much of Gaza’s population to be displaced.
The UN and several humanitarian institutions have warned of a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, with a lack of food, medicine and the spread of diseases.
The Israeli population is constantly protesting against Netanyahu, accusing the prime minister of failing to reach a ceasefire agreement so that the hostages can be released.
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This content was originally published in Hamas must release 33 hostages in the first phase of possible agreement, says authority on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil

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