Continuation of Ceasefire Negotiations and Hostage Release; Hamas Optimistic, Netanyahu Gives Green Light

Following the expressed optimism of the Hamas delegation regarding ceasefire negotiations and the release of hostages, on Thursday, the Israeli Prime Minister agreed to send an Israeli delegation to Qatar to participate in the talks. Channel 12 of Israeli television reported that the Israeli negotiating team would head to Qatar on Friday, adding that Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the presence of this group in Qatar after observing recent progress in negotiations and changes in Hamas's positions. An Israeli source also told the Jerusalem Post on Thursday that negotiations regarding the release of hostages and a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas have made progress, but 'it is moving slowly.' He added: 'Hamas has not yet submitted a list of living hostages and claims it cannot access all hostages, stating that it needs a few days after the ceasefire begins to prepare the final list. However, we believe this is an incorrect claim because Hamas currently has the ability to do this but does not want to provide the list of remaining living hostages.' Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official, also told the Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed: 'This time there is a good chance for the success of the negotiations.' The Hamas delegation has been meeting with Egyptian, Qatari, and Turkish mediators in Cairo for several days. According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, negotiators in Cairo are trying to reach a final agreement before the inauguration of Donald Trump, the elected President of the United States, on January 20. Donald Trump has warned twice that if Hamas does not release its hostages by January 20, the start of his presidency, it will face severe consequences. He also warned that failure to reach a ceasefire agreement before his presidency begins would be met with an 'unpleasant' reaction. During the terrorist attack on October 7 last year by Hamas against Israel, more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and over 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly, were taken hostage. While about 100 of the hostages were exchanged during a temporary ceasefire late last fall for Palestinian prisoners, around 100 remain in captivity with Hamas, and reports indicate that some of them have been killed. Hezbollah states that the situation after the ceasefire with Israel will be different. The Pentagon: The ceasefire between Syrian and Turkish Kurds remains in effect. Israel's report to the United Nations: Hamas has tortured hostages. Criticism from the Israeli Prime Minister's office of the negotiating team: Do not play on Hamas's field. Israel warns the Islamic Republic: We are ready to attack 'at any time and place.' Israel: Hamas creates 'new obstacles' against the release of hostages.