Hamas denies having 40 hostages meeting humanitarian criteria under ceasefire negotiations

As international mediators are proposing a six-to-eight weeks cease-fire, Hamas said Wednesday (Apr 10) that they do not have 40 hostages still alive who can meet the humanitarian criteria. This added another roadblock to the negotiations as it not only raised concerns about the derailing of a potential ceasefire but also on the number and condition of the hostages held by the militant group.

Notably, the hostage situation in Gaza took a concerning turn after a top Hamas official said that themilitant groupdoes not have 40 hostages 'in the humanitarian category that are still alive'.As per the figures from Israel, a total of 133 hostages, out of 240 that were initially kidnapped from Israel in the October 7 assault by Hamas, are still in captivity.

Out of these 133 hostages, as many as 36 have been confirmed dead, as per Israel.With this, the number of living hostages has been reduced to 97 which is now raising an urgent need for progress in the negotiations to secure their release.

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Hamas has already communicated the latest update on 40 hostages proposal with the negotiators in Cairo.This assertion by Hamas was however made anonymously, media reports said.

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The proposed exchange entailed the release of hostages including the elderly, women, those with illnesses, and five female Israeli soldiers. In return, Hamas is seeking the release of hundreds of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

Now, there are fears that more hostages may be dead than previously believed. Talks between the two parties have stalled over various issues.

International mediators included representatives from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States. Reports also suggest that Hamas has reportedly informed the mediators that the number of hostages they claim to be alive is much lower than what was proposed.

This development has raised questions about the composition of the first group of hostages to be released and whether young men and soldiers will be included in the exchange.

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Even after efforts to secure the release of hostages, including a brief cease-fire in November, the negotiations remain challenging. The captives are believed to be held in various locations within the Gaza Strip which has been raging in war and constant strikes by Israel.

What is the latest on hostage/Palestinians release?

A total of 112 hostages had been returned alive to Israel through various means, according to the data till February 14, 2024, reports indicated. This includedprisoner exchange deals (105), IDF rescues (3), and Hamas releases unilaterally (4).

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Under the prisoner exchange deal in November last year which could only sustain seven days, about 81 of the released hostages were Israeli women and children. During that time, Hamas also left free 23 Thai nationals and one Filipino.

Earlier ceasefire efforts resulted in the release of Palestinian prisoners, including minors and individuals not convicted of crimes, as part of the negotiation process. A total of 107 out of240 released at the time were teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17 years. A total of 66 were 18-year-old boys, and one teenager was also released who had turned 19 in Israeli jail. Notably, about 75 percent of released Palestinians had not been convicted of any crime.

(With inputs from agencies)

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