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ISRAEL: PM Holds Security Discussions After Hamas Announces Hostage Release

ISRAEL

PM Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a security discussion with senior officials following the publication of a statement from Hamas saying that it intends to release US hostage Idan Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages. Some reports claim the exchange could come as soon as tomorrow (15 March), but I24 reports a senior Hamas official saying: "We have not yet determined the place and date of the hostages' handover." Israel has pushed for the release of eight living hostages. 

  • US Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff's proposal for an extended ceasefire envisaged the release of five living and 10 deceased hostages, but reports suggest that Hamas has rejected the latest overture.
  • The Hamas statement also confirms that it has received a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations on a second phase ceasefire deal. It remains to be seen whether this is possible given the expiry of the first phase ceasefire deal and the inability to reach an agreement on its extension. Israeli and Hamas delegations are in Doha presently as part of the indirect talks on the first phase extension. The Israeli side has said that if no deal is reached by Saturday evening, its team will return to Israel. 
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PM Benjamin Netanyahu is holding a security discussion with senior officials following the publication of a statement from Hamas saying that it intends to release US hostage Idan Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages. Some reports claim the exchange could come as soon as tomorrow (15 March), but I24 reports a senior Hamas official saying: "We have not yet determined the place and date of the hostages' handover." Israel has pushed for the release of eight living hostages. 

  • US Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff's proposal for an extended ceasefire envisaged the release of five living and 10 deceased hostages, but reports suggest that Hamas has rejected the latest overture.
  • The Hamas statement also confirms that it has received a proposal from mediators to resume negotiations on a second phase ceasefire deal. It remains to be seen whether this is possible given the expiry of the first phase ceasefire deal and the inability to reach an agreement on its extension. Israeli and Hamas delegations are in Doha presently as part of the indirect talks on the first phase extension. The Israeli side has said that if no deal is reached by Saturday evening, its team will return to Israel.