Hamas announces list of hostages ready for release, Israel denies
The list included 34 hostages (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has approved a list of hostages it is willing to exchange in the event of a ceasefire. Israel denies any such preparations, stating that it has not received any lists, according to Reuters and The Times of Israel.
According to a representative of the group, the list includes 34 hostages. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official reiterated that any agreement would depend on reaching a deal for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire.
At the same time, The Times of Israel reports that officials in the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are denying the claim.
"As of now, Hamas has not given a list of hostages," the statement reads.
However, according to Channel 12, Hamas has indeed provided a list but did not specify which hostages are alive or deceased.
Recently, CNN reported that on January 3, delegations from Israel and Hamas arrived in Qatar to continue negotiations on the release of hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza.
