Several families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza have received confirmation their loved ones are alive, breaking months of agonizing silence broken only by Hamas propaganda videos, Channel 12 News reported Friday evening.
While the identities of the hostages remain protected, this development coincides with reports of substantial progress in negotiations. Sources close to the talks suggest an initial agreement could be reached within 7-10 days, though they caution Hamas could still stall at any moment.
"Military pressure is working," one official involved in negotiations told families, indicating Hamas's increasing willingness to deal. The terror group told Lebanon's Al-Akhbar newspaper talks are going "excellently," though two major sticking points remain:
First, Hamas claims it needs a week-long ceasefire to assess all hostages' conditions before providing Israel with a complete list of who's alive. Second, the group opposes including injured IDF soldiers in the first release phase, arguing it violates agreed-upon prisoner exchange ratios.
Defense Minister Israel Katz told the Knesset's Foreign Affairs Committee Monday that Israel is "closer than ever" to a deal, adding that military operations in key Gaza corridors won't impede an agreement.
However, many families still await any word of their loved ones, marking over two months since Hamas's October 7 attack.
Arutz Sheva contributed to this article.
