Report: Hamas still hasn’t sent list of living, dead hostages to be freed in deal’s 1st phase

Israel still has not received from Hamas a list of living and dead hostages to be released in the first phase of a potential ceasefire-hostage deal, the Kan public broadcaster reports.

The outlet additionally says that Hamas is resisting pressure from mediators.

According to Channel 12 news, Israeli officials believe Hamas is hoping for a “dramatic achievement” in the negotiations before providing the list. No further details are given.

Meanwhile, the Israel Hayom daily says that the terror group is backtracking after initially appearing to soften its position.

“Hamas is effectively backing down from the softening that led to the renewal of the talks, and is once again demanding an Israeli commitment to end the war at the end of the comprehensive deal as a condition for implementing its first phase,” an unnamed senior official tells the newspaper.

The reports come as a mid-level Israeli negotiating team that has been in Qatar for several days working on a potential hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas, returned to Israel for “internal deliberations in Israel regarding the continuation of negotiations.”

The proposed ceasefire is reported to envision a three-phase implementation. The first stage would see Hamas release “humanitarian” captives — female hostages, children, older captives and the sick.