Israel-Hamas Negotiations: The fall of Bashar al-Assad of Iran-backed Syria, his fleeing Syria and Hezbollah agreeing to a ceasefire could put Hamas in trouble in Gaza. In such a situation, it is being speculated that Hamas may soon accept a ceasefire with Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told relatives of hostages in Gaza on Sunday (8 December) that the overthrow of the Assad regime could hasten the release of the hostages. Netanyahu spoke Sunday evening to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents most of the hostage families. At the same time, another group, Tikva Forum, was more supportive of the government.
What did Biden’s administration official say?,
A senior Biden administration official also said that Assad’s fall could drastically change the balance of regional power, which could help ensure a ceasefire.
No progress in talks after November 2023
During a week-long ceasefire in November 2023, 105 hostages were released. Since then there has been no progress in the talks between Israel and Hamas. Currently about 96 people are under the control of Hamas, out of which one third are feared dead. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli security forces have rescued 8 hostages and recovered 38 bodies during this period.
The family of Edan Alexander authorizes the release of the video published by Hamas terror organization this evening (Saturday).
“The shocking video of Edan, an American-Israeli citizen, is definite proof that despite all the rumors – there are living hostages and they are… pic.twitter.com/gJcSv8LAtE
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) November 30, 2024
Hamas released a video of a hostage
This incident took place when Hamas released a three-minute long video of 25-year-old hostage Matan Jangokar. Matan Jangokar was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz. In the video released, Matan appeals to the people of Israel to continue protesting for a ceasefire with Hamas. Matan’s partner Ilana Gritzevsky was released only in November 2023.
Earlier, another hostage Aidan Alexander was also seen in a similar propaganda video. Aden is a citizen of both Israel and America.
What did the newly elected US President Trump say?,
America’s newly elected President Donald Trump recently said that he is confident that the hostages remaining in Gaza may no longer be alive. Trump said that he witnessed the treatment of hostages and that he saw a young girl being pulled by her hair and thrown into a car. Trump was referring to Israeli soldier Naama Levi, who was shown being pushed into an IDF vehicle in a video.
According to The Week reports, Hamas has asked its fighters in Gaza to prepare a list of hostages held in Syria. So that this information can be collected before the talks being mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
Also read: Hezbollah Israel war: After ceasefire, Hezbollah reached seventh heaven, said this big thing about Israel
