Pascal Soto, UN chief of staff of the office of the United nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) listens to a demonstrator on November 13, 2023, as people rally outside the UN headquarters in Jerusalem calling on the UN to intervene for the release of Israeli hostages taken by Palestinian militants on the October 7 attack. (Photo credit : KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/AFP)
A deal could be announced "within days" for the release of dozens of women and children who have been held hostage by Hamas since the start of the Israel-Hamas war – according to a opinion piece published by The Washington Post on Monday, based on the claims of an anonymous Israeli official.
“The general outline of the deal is understood,” the official is quoted as saying, requesting anonymity to discuss the subject.
The article by The Washington Post columnist, David Ignatius, suggests that the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza would be released in groups, in exchange for Palestinian women and young people being held in Israeli prisons.
Since the start of Hamas's assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, around 240 people are being held hostage by the militant group. They include young children, the elderly and dozens of dual nationals and foreigners – according to the Israeli authorities.
On Oct. 24, two elderly Hamas hostages were airlifted to an Israeli hospital to be reunited with family Tuesday, as the United States demanded Palestinian militants release more than 200 other captives before Gaza ceasefire talks are considered.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told NBC News on Nov. 12 that there could be "a potential deal for hostages" being held in the Gaza Strip, but declined to give more details.
The Washington Post claims Israel is seeking the release of 100 women and children, while Hamas has indicated its willingness to free 70 hostages, in return for a 5-day truce, according to a statement by one of its officials on its Telegram channel cited by Reuters on Monday.
The Washington Post opinion article suggests that in exchange, Israel would also agree to a temporary ceasefire of up to five days, in order to allow safe passage for the hostages and an influx of aid for Gazan civilians.
On the Israeli side, the Jewish state would want to confirm the identities of those who are being held captive, before they proceed with an exchange.
The report also cites an "Arab official" who says there are at least 120 Palestinian women and youngsters in Israeli prisons who could be released in exchange.
In a White House statement on Sunday, American President Joe Biden voiced strong US support for a hostage deal in a call, expressing personal “appreciation” to the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, whose nation has acted as mediator with Hamas. "The two leaders agreed that all hostages must be released without further delay," the statement said.
Israel’s negotiation with Hamas has been conducted indirectly through Qatar, where Hamas’s political leadership is based. Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani outlined the mediation effort in an interview with The Washington Post on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in Doha. The next day, he met with CIA Director William J. Burns and David Barnea, director of Israel's foreign intelligence service Mossad, to discuss the framework.
At least 1,200 people in Israel have been killed since the start of the Hamas-Israel war, mostly civilians who were shot or burnt to death on the first day of the raid, according to Israeli officials. More than 11,000 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed across the Gaza Strip in retaliatory Israeli bombardments, according to the latest toll from the Hamas health ministry in Gaza.