Talks to secure the release of a large number of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza are ongoing, two sources familiar with the matter and one western diplomat familiar with the discussions told CNN, but the negotiations are being complicated by a number of factors.
The United States, Israel, Qatar, Egypt and Hamas are engaged in the ongoing deliberations. Four hostages – two American and two Israeli – have been freed so far. But the hope now is to reach a deal for a bigger group of hostages released at once.
Israel is pressing for a comprehensive plan for such a release, another source said, after seeing just two sets of two hostages released so far. Israel has said there are more than 200 hostages believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.
Israel has so far held off on making a ground incursion into Gaza, and the US has pressed Israel to further delay its invasion to allow for the release of more hostages held by Hamas.
The sources said the timing of the ground invasion is a moving target.
There is no specific timeline to that delay, and the sources said they don’t believe the Israelis will hold off for more than a few days.
As part of the negotiations, Hamas wants more fuel allowed into the coastal enclave, according to a person familiar with the group’s demands, but Israeli officials have made clear publicly that that isn’t negotiable.
A senior adviser to the prime minister, Ambassador Mark Regev, told CNN Monday night: “The government decision is that fuel doesn’t go in because it will be stolen by Hamas and it’ll be used by them to power rockets that are fired into Israel to kill our people.” Regev said that Israel will not allow more fuel into Gaza even if Hamas released all of the hostages.
In a telephone call Monday evening, President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the…
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