ISRAEL (TNND) — As a ceasefire agreement emerges between Israel and Hamas once again Israeli officials said they expect Hamas to release 33 hostages during the first phase.
A senior Israeli official told CNN Monday that they believe most of the hostages are alive but expect bodies will be among those released during an initial 42-day ceasefire.
A final round of proximity talks is set to take place in Doha on Tuesday to finalize any issues, a diplomat confirmed.
An Egyptian official told The Associated Press that there had been good progress overnight, but that it would likely take a few more days, and that the sides were aiming for a deal before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Egypt, Qatar and the Biden administration have spent more than a year trying to broker an agreement to end the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel and took about 250 hostages. Reports indicate about 60 of the remaining hostages are believed to be alive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly signaled that he is committed only to the first phase, a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting.
Hamas has demanded a full withdrawal and complete end to the war, and is hoping that this first phase will lead to that outcome.
The incoming Trump administration vowed Tuesday that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if the hostages aren’t released by his inauguration.
“And it will not be good for Hamas, and it will not be good, frankly, for anyone,” Trump said if Hamas doesn’t release the hostages, which includes several Americans. “All hell will break out. I don’t have to say any more, but that’s what it is.”
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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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