Hamas says it is ready to release 34 prisoners based on the ceasefire agreement Israel-Palestine conflict news

Israeli and Hamas officials are holding talks in Qatar to secure a ceasefire agreement.

According to Reuters and AFP news agencies citing an official of the Palestinian group, Hamas said it is ready to release 34 prisoners as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The Palestinian group, which runs the Gaza Strip, confirmed the release of the prisoners “as part of the first phase of a prisoner exchange agreement,” AFP reported, citing an unnamed Hamas official.

An AFP official said the initial exchange would include all women, children, elderly and sick prisoners held in Gaza.

Reuters, citing a Hamas official who did not want to be named, said the ceasefire agreement would depend on Israel agreeing to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawing from Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Sunday that Hamas has not yet submitted a list of potential prisoners to be released.

The information was released at a time when negotiations on reaching a ceasefire agreement were underway in Qatar.

US President Joe Biden’s administration, which is mediating the talks, is hoping to make last-minute progress in the talks before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20.

Ali Hashim, a correspondent of Al Jazeera TV channel reporting from Doha, the capital of Qatar, said that there are still serious differences of opinion in order to bridge the gap between the parties.

“Ultimately, a political decision is needed. And that decision now rests with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, because Hamas has put the ball in Israel’s court. It is up to Israel whether to move it to the second stage or not,” Hashim said.

Hashem said the talks also came in the context of Trump’s warnings about the consequences of not reaching a deal.

“Trump warned a few weeks ago that when he takes office, if there is no ceasefire, all hell will break out. But who is he warning? Netanyahu? There is no possibility. Hamas? Probably,” Hashim said.

“How will Hamas deal with this?” Will they give up what they are looking for? Especially the issue of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. Because there is no guarantee that this war will end now that Hamas has released its captives. And that’s why Hamas wants a clear commitment from Israel.”

Israel continued to bomb Gaza on Sunday, with its military claiming to have hit more than 100 “terrorist targets” in the enclave over the weekend.

Gaza health officials said the Israeli attacks killed more than 100 Palestinians, including five in a house in the Nuseirat camp and five in a police station in Khan Younis.

More than 45,800 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war in Gaza in response to Hamas attacks on the country on October 7, 2023.