Hamas claims it has approved list of 34 hostages requested by Israel for release in possible deal

An unnamed Hamas official tells Reuters that the terror group has approved a list of 34 hostages, as requested by Israel, to be released in a possible ceasefire and hostage release deal.

However, the official, who speaks on condition of anonymity, reiterates that any deal is contingent upon the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. He says that there has been no progress from the Israeli side in this regard.

Israel is reported to have submitted a list of 34 living hostages it wants released in the first phase of any deal. As of last week, Hamas was reported to have agreed to 22 of the named hostages — women, the elderly and the sick — but to have refused to free others named by Israel, said to be men of potential military age.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted throughout multiple rounds of failed negotiations that Israel will not commit to a complete end to the war and has said that the fight against Hamas will resume at the conclusion of any deal that is reached.