Hamas issued a statement today claiming "our prisoners are close to their freedom," though analysts suggest this appears to be more about reassuring their own members than indicating an imminent hostage deal.
The terrorist organization's announcement comes amid reports of progress in hostage negotiations. Earlier today, new details emerged when Shimon Or, uncle of Nova festival hostage Avinatan Or, shared information from his recent conversation with a senior negotiator at the Knesset Finance Committee.
According to Or's testimony, the proposed framework would initially focus on releasing 33 hostages, both alive and deceased, over a two-week period. This phase would include a complete ceasefire, allow Gaza residents to return to the northern part of the strip, and increase humanitarian aid.
Only after these first two weeks would negotiations begin for the remaining hostages. However, Or reported the senior negotiator expressed doubt about this second phase materializing. "I asked him how we'll get the others back," Or told the committee. "When I asked if Israel had advanced its humanitarian control in Gaza, the answer was no."
Or strongly criticized the potential deal during the committee meeting, calling it a "betrayal of the hostages" and urging coalition members to threaten withdrawal if all hostages aren't returned in a single phase. He specifically called on MK Gafni to stand by his promise not to support a deal that doesn't bring back all hostages.
"I told Minister Strook yesterday that I demand a threat to leave the coalition over this deal, nothing less," Or stated. He argued that Hamas is currently weakening in Gaza and suggested taking control of humanitarian aid distribution through American companies instead of pursuing the current framework.
"Hamas militants holding hostages won't contact the Shin Bet or IDF as long as Hamas is being courted as a governing entity," Or warned the committee.
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