"Significant progress" has been made in negotiations for the release of the hostages held by Hamas, but there are still a number of unresolved issues, CNN reported on Friday.
"The negotiations are progressing very well, we have a breakthrough," diplomatic sources told CNN. "Despite the problems, talks are ongoing and we remain hopeful."
Shabbat table with 224 empty chairs in honor of the abductees held in Gaza, today // Photo: Noam Galai
In addition, sources told an Egyptian website that the contacts for the release of the abductees from Hamas are being mediated by Egypt and Qatar. According to the report, progress is being made on a deal of "humanitarian calm" for a few hours and possibly even a few days. The sources reported that Hamas demanded a five-day lull in return for the release of 100 abductees held by the terrorist organization and other organizations. In addition, Hamas demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners and a long-term lull.
On the other hand, it was claimed that Israel agreed to a lull for one day under conditions of international supervision, and offered the release of all the abductees in exchange for a ceasefire.
The families of the abductees demonstrate in Tel Aviv, yesterday, photo: AP.
The CNN report comes after Al Jazeera reported earlier today that there had been "rapid progress" in the negotiations, as well as a report in Al-Arabiya that sources told the Saudi network that Israel had proposed a ceasefire in exchange for the release of all the hostages – a proposal that Hamas rejected. CNN also reported that Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, is in Doha, where she is holding meetings with the Qatari leadership.
Earlier today, the Qatari foreign minister told Sky News that "there is a possibility of releasing all abducted civilians in Gaza within days, if the fighting stops."
Hamas murdered more than 1,400 people and kidnapped more than 200 others into Gaza, dozens of them with passports or foreign citizenship. Since October 7, Hamas has released four abductees – two of them Israeli with American citizenship, the other two with Israeli citizenship only.
The Families Headquarters for the Abducted and Missing, Photo: Gideon Markowitz
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us