Hamas reportedly now willing to release only up to 20 hostages in return for 6-week truce

Large images of hostages Naama Levy and Liri Albag are held above the crowd as protesters in Tel Aviv call for a hostage deal, April 11, 2024. (Danor Aharon/ Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)
Large images of hostages Naama Levy and Liri Albag are held above the crowd as protesters in Tel Aviv call for a hostage deal, April 11, 2024. (Danor Aharon/ Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

Following up on earlier reports about increasingly steep Hamas demands regarding a hostage deal, Channel 12 says Hamas is now prepared to release fewer than 20 hostages in return for a six-week truce. In return, it is seeking a high number than in the past of Palestinian security prisoner releases, including more with blood on their hands.

The report further states that Hamas wants an international guarantee in the first phase of the deal that Israel will halt the war, and an IDF withdrawal, and the return of northern Gazans to their homes.

The report quotes an Israeli official saying that the Hamas response underlines that Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar does not want an agreement, and is seeking an escalation of regional conflict.

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