Middle East conflict: Hamas likely to release 33 hostages during first phase of emerging ceasefire deal with Israel

Hamas reportedly holds 94 hostages out of the 251 people it had taken from Israel during its October 7, 2023 attacks.

Israel believes that most of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase of the deal are alive, a senior Israeli official told reporters as quoted by CNN on Monday.

The senior Israeli official said the parties appear to be on the verge of an agreement and that Israel is prepared to implement the deal once it has been inked immediately.

A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations told BBC that the terms of a deal between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are being finalised.

Meanwhile, US President Joe President, whose term will end soon, said his administration is working hard to try and reach a deal to bring hostages home.

"My Administration is working hard to try and reach a deal to bring hostages home, end this war, and bring immediate relief to Palestinians in Gaza," Biden posted on X.

Biden, whose tenure will end shortly, recently held a discussion with both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani over the deal recently.

According to reports, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is meditating on the negotiations.

As per a White House released statement, during his discussion with Netanyahu, Biden stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal.

Biden thanked Qatari Emir Thani for his leadership and praised Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani for his mediating role throughout the process.

A diplomat close to the negotiations told CNN a final round of proximity talks to finalize any issues was scheduled to take place in Doha on Tuesday.

The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory called on Sunday for an end to the war in Gaza to ensure a better future for children there and the entire region.

Muhannad Hadi, who is also the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, made the appeal during a visit to Gaza City, where he met with representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The senior official also visited Holy Family Church, where he recorded a video message on the church steps, surrounded by displaced children.

“Needless to say that churches, mosques, civilians, and all civilian infrastructure, must be protected. They can only be protected by the end of this war; by a ceasefire,” he stressed.

After Hamas launched its surprise attack on October 7, 2023, Israel commenced its military operation in Gaza, beginning the current conflict in the region.

The Hamas attack had left 1200 people killed.

the Israeli military has killed at least 46,565 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health as quoted by CNN.