Gaza: Are the hostages part of the ceasefire agreement under study ?

The announcement by Hamas of a possible truce with Israel revives hope among the relatives of the hostages à Gaza. But the Jewish state threatens to "intensify" its military operations in the absence of progress on the release of those still detained.

Israel puts the pressure on. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned this Tuesday, May 7, that the army was ready & "step up" its military operations against Hamas in Gaza if there was no progress on the liberation hostages held by the terrorist organization. Monday, May 6, 2024, Hamas announced in a press release that having informed Egypt and Qatar – mediator countries with the United States – for its approval of the decision. "their proposal to find a ceasefire agreement" with Israelël à Gaza after weeks of fruitless talks.

The negotiated agreement in Cairo must relate in particular to an exchange of Palestinians detained by Israel for hostages held in the Gaza Strip. In total, 132 hostages are being held by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: in a press release having given for deposit &agrav; the Israeli delegation to "continueé be firm on the conditions necessary for liberation" hostages.

A Hamas proposal "far from Israeli demands"

At the end of April, a text approved by Israel included three phases, including a first of 40 days with the release of 33 hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners with a ratio of ;#39;one for 20. Israel had then decidedé to release convicted persons, in addition to women and adolescents, which was not initially planned. ;

Problem: the recent agreement between Hamas and Israel is far from meeting the demands of the host state ;breu. Voilaà why, this Tuesday, the Israeli army continues its bombings in the south of the Gaza Strip. This agreement presents # 39;important differences with that desired by Israel last week, already considered as "extremely generous" by the United States. 

In the new text, if Hamas does indeed plan to release 33 Israeli hostages during a first phase of 42 days, which already constitutes ; a slight difference, an alterity. fundamental exists and did not fit at all into Israel's plans. The hostages may be “alive or dead”. A response which could mean that some hostages are not already there. do not want anymore. The ratio, which was to be 1 to 20, would increase to 1:20. one hostage for 30 Palestinian prisoners. Worse, until 'à 1 for 50 if the hostage is released is a female soldier. If Hamas' new proposal is "far from Israeli demands" as indicated the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, all hopes may not be buried.

Further discussions expected

The Israeli war cabinet has decided to to send a high-ranking delegation to Egypt with the aim of maximizing the chances of achieving peace. an agreement à conditions acceptable to Israelël" explain the Prime Minister's services. Qatar, for its part, announces the sending of a delegation to Cairo this Tuesday, May 7 &quot ;to relaunch indirect negotiations between the two parties (…) with the hope of achieving an agreement for an immediate and permanent ceasefire" in exchange for prisoners and hostages. At the same time, the Israeli operation continued. Rafah continues 'to exert military pressure on Hamas with the aim of progressing towards the release of the hostages and the achievement of other war objectives' ;quot; entrusted the services of Benyamin Netanyahu.