HAMAS has announced that it is prepared to release 34 captives “whether alive or dead” if a ceasefire deal is agreed upon.
The release of 34 captives would be part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, according to reports from Reuters and AFP, citing a spokesperson for the Hamas group.
The AFP reported on Sunday that the release of the captives is “part of the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal”.
The first to be released would be women, children, elderly and sick people held in Gaza, reported the AFP.
“Hamas has agreed to release the 34 prisoners, whether alive or dead. However, the group needs a week of calm to communicate with the captors and identify those who are alive and those who are dead,” said the Hamas spokesperson.
The release of the captives depends on Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal from Gaza, according to a Hamas official cited by Reuters from an unnamed Hamas source.
Israel said that Hamas did not give them details about the 34 captives with them.
“As yet, Israel has not received any confirmation or comment by Hamas regarding the status of the hostages appearing on the list,” said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in a statement.
Negotiations for a ceasefire are underway in Qatar.
Ali Hashem, journalist for Al Jazeera said the ball is in the Israel camp.
“In the end, there is a need for a political decision. And this decision right now is with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as Hamas has thrown the ball into the Israeli court.
“And it’s up to Israel whether to take this to the second stage or not.”
Joe Biden’s office, which is monitoring the negotiations, hopes to agree on a ceasefire before Donald Trump takes office on January 20.
