Hamas ready to release certain Israeli hostages, reports WSJ

The Wall Street Journal, citing official sources in Egypt, reports that Hamas leaders have informed intermediaries of their willingness to release certain hostages.

According to the sources, Hamas is prepared to release all detained civilian women and children in exchange for a lasting ceasefire in Gaza. The release of a substantial number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails is also expected, although the WSJ publication does not explicitly mention this requirement.

The author of the publication, Summer Said, reports that Hamas's announcement regarding the readiness to release some hostages followed the Israeli authorities' proposal for a ceasefire over several months. The proposal involved the release of all civilian hostages—women, children, and men. Additionally, the scenario encompassed the withdrawal of Israeli troops from specific areas of Gaza and allowing unrestricted movement for Gazans within the Strip.

Despite some shifts, the mediators highlight that an agreement on the deal has not been reached yet, and negotiations remain at risk of failure.

Mediating diplomats have urged Israel and Hamas to establish a step-by-step process. This process would initiate with the release of hostages and eventually culminate in the withdrawal of Israeli troops, bringing an end to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

The offices of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Hamas leadership have not commented on a potential deal yet.