One of the key issues delaying an agreement on the deal is the number of live hostages to be released in the first phase of the agreement, according to a report by news channel Yisrael Hayom.

The first phase of a deal is expected to result in the release of 33 hostages. That phase “would last six weeks… (and) would include a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, the release of a number of hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.” The second phase of the deal would include the release of all hostages still alive, including male soldiers, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all of Gaza. If negotiations on phase two last longer than six weeks, the ceasefire will last as long as the talks continue, giving Hamas every incentive to extend the talks to prevent a resumption of fighting and give the terror group a chance to regroup. The third phase would involve the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the remains of deceased hostages to their families.

In Israel, it is therefore assumed that all hostages to be released will be released in the first step and that an agreement on the next steps or their implementation is unlikely.

One of the biggest disagreements between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas is the number of live hostages to be released in the first phase of the agreement: the current draft calls for 33 “humanitarian” hostages to be released. However, Hamas insists on including the words “alive or dead” in the agreement, which would allow it to release fewer than 33 live hostages in exchange for a large number of living terrorists with blood on their hands.

However, Israel insists that at least 30 live hostages will be released under the deal – and if Hamas does not have 30 live hostages, who are women, children, the sick or the elderly, men or soldiers can be released in their place. Hamas has stubbornly refused to release those who are not considered “humanitarian” and has stated that it has released 30 “humanitarian” hostages and is willing to do so – but it does not commit to them being alive at the time of their release.

In the November 2023 prisoner exchange agreement, Hamas committed to releasing all civilians and children. But over a dozen civilians were not released under the agreement, and two of the youngest hostages, Kfir and Ariel Bibas, are still being held in Gaza. In that agreement, Hamas also violated the commitment to release children along with their mothers.

Another point of disagreement concerns the return of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip. Hamas demands that this return must take place without security inspections, while Israel insists that only unarmed Gazans should be allowed into the area.

Other points of contention include the Israeli presence and the security of the Philadelphia Corridor, as well as Hamas’s demand to determine which terrorists will be released under the deal and that senior terrorists be included in the exchange. Hamas also demands that none of the terrorists be released into exile – not even to Gaza – and that all return to their homes.

Both sides are preparing for what Israeli officials call the “last chance for an agreement” before the Middle East drifts into a possible regional confrontation between Iran, Hezbollah and Israel.

For more than five hours, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his key ministers and the heads of the security and intelligence services on Wednesday to discuss the mandate for Israeli negotiators traveling to Doha on Thursday.

At the meeting, Netanyahu agreed to a slight expansion of the mandate of the Israeli negotiating team, according to two senior Israeli officials familiar with the matter.
Israeli officials said Netanyahu had given negotiators a “reasonable mandate” that justified the trip to Qatar for the talks.

They added that the new flexibility agreed to by Netanyahu would allow for serious negotiations in Doha and make progress possible, but stressed that it was unclear whether this flexibility would be sufficient to reach an agreement.

At the same time, Hamas representatives reiterated on Wednesday that they would not take part in the talks.

The White House and State Department said Qatar had made it clear it would ensure Hamas’ participation in the negotiations. A source familiar with the matter pointed out that Hamas officials involved in the negotiations were already stationed in Doha and the talks were never intended to take place directly.

Hamas told the mediators that although its representatives would not participate in the talks, they were ready to meet with the mediators afterwards to find out the current situation and to examine whether Israel had presented a proposal for an agreement that Hamas considered serious and feasible, the source said.