A member of Hamas' political bureau has revealed that discussions are underway regarding a potential prisoner-hostage exchange as part of broader ceasefire negotiations. Basem Naim, speaking on behalf of Hamas, stated that one of the key objectives of the negotiations is to establish a ceasefire agreement that would provide the necessary time and security to gather accurate information about the hostages currently held in Gaza.
Naim explained that the hostages are located in various locations and are being held by different groups, some of whom may have perished in the conflict. He emphasized the need for heavy equipment to aid in locating and rescuing the hostages.
The statement from Naim came in response to inquiries from the media regarding Hamas' stance on a recent proposal put forth in Cairo. It was suggested that Hamas may be facing challenges in releasing 40 hostages as part of the initial phase of a proposed three-stage ceasefire agreement.
Reports from an Israeli official and a source familiar with the negotiations suggest that Hamas is encountering difficulties in identifying and locating the 40 Israeli hostages, leading to concerns that some hostages may have already lost their lives without public knowledge.
Furthermore, assessments of the hostages' conditions indicate that the number of living hostages meeting the specified criteria may be fewer than the initially proposed 40 individuals.
