Senior Hamas Official: No One Knows How Many Hostages Are Alive

Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, states that no one knows how many of the 116 hostages taken during the group's attack on October 7 are still alive. Hamas militants, supported by the Islamic Republic, killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, during the October 7 attacks in southern Israel and took over 250 hostages. It was previously reported that more than 100 hostages remain in the group's captivity. However, Israel has mentioned the possibility that some hostages held by Hamas may have been killed. A few days ago, Israeli forces freed four hostages in Gaza. In an interview with CNN published on Thursday, June 14, Hamdan said about the hostages: 'I have no opinion on this matter. No one has an opinion on this matter.' Previously, Hamas had told international mediators that it could not comply with Israel's request to release 40 hostages in the first phase of an agreement, including all women, sick men, and the elderly, because it does not have 40 hostages that meet such criteria. Osama Hamdan defended the group's rejection of ceasefire conditions and called for Israel to agree to a complete ceasefire before any negotiations for the release of hostages. U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that he does not expect a ceasefire or an agreement for the release of hostages to be achieved in the near future. He said Hamas needs to align its position with Israel's proposal, which is supported by the U.S. Biden, speaking on the sidelines of the G7 leaders' summit in Italy, responded to reporters' questions about whether a ceasefire agreement would be reached soon, saying: 'No,' adding, 'I have not lost hope, but it will be difficult.' He placed the responsibility for the situation on Hamas, stating that the group is an obstacle to an agreement. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the UK, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. The U.S. President emphasized his commitment to pressuring both sides to reach an agreement. Negotiations over Biden's three-phase proposal, which was approved by the UN Security Council, were halted after Hamas provided its response on Wednesday, June 13. On June 2, Biden announced his three-phase proposal for establishing a ceasefire in the Gaza war, stating: 'It is time to end this war.' The plan includes the gradual release of Israeli hostages in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces in two phases, the release of Palestinian prisoners, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the return of the bodies of deceased hostages in the third phase. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed disappointment over Hamas's decision to propose 'multiple changes' to this plan, calling some of them 'beyond the positions Hamas had previously taken.' He stated: 'Some of the changes are feasible. Some are not.' Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, also stated on the sidelines of the G7 summit that Israel stands behind the ceasefire proposal in the eight-month war in Gaza, aiming to reach an agreement soon by resolving differences with Hamas. He urged the international community to pressure Hamas to accept this proposal and avoid a deadlock. Biden stated: 'We will not rest until all hostages are returned and a ceasefire is established in Gaza.' Israeli forces attacked in central and southern Gaza; Reuters reported that 23 Palestinians were killed. The possibility of resuming ceasefire negotiations based on 'new proposals' within the next few days was mentioned. Macron announced the formation of a trilateral contact group to reduce tensions between Hezbollah and Israel. Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets into northern Israel. Israeli tanks attacked '45 targets' in western Rafah.