Hamas says it is set to release 34 hostages

DOHA (QJ) – Hamas has stated that it is ready to release 34 prisoners as part of a ceasefire agreement reached with Israel, according to news agencies Reuters and AFP, citing a Palestinian group official.

The Palestinian group, which governs the Gaza Strip, has approved the release of prisoners as part of the first phase of a prisoner exchange agreement, AFP reported on Sunday, citing an unnamed Hamas official.

The initial exchange will include all women, children, elderly people, and sick prisoners held in Gaza, according to AFP. However, Hamas needs time to determine their condition. “Hamas has agreed to release 34 prisoners, whether they are alive or dead. However, the group needs a week of calm to contact the captors and clarify who is alive and who has died,” the official said.

Reuters quoted an unnamed Hamas official saying that the ceasefire agreement depends on Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawing from Gaza.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Hamas has not provided information on the 34 prisoners.

Reports indicate that ceasefire negotiations are taking place in Qatar.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden, which is mediating the talks, hopes to reach a breakthrough before President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday that Washington wants to see a ceasefire agreement concluded in Gaza before the end of the Biden administration but acknowledged that it may take longer.