Hamas Offers List of Hostages Amid Ongoing Ceasefire Talks with Israel

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A senior official from Hamas has provided a list of 34 hostages they are willing to release as part of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. The list includes 10 women, 11 older men aged between 50 and 85, as well as young children. There are concerns regarding the wellbeing of the hostages, with reports claiming that some may no longer be alive.

The situation in Gaza remains critical, as Israeli air strikes over the weekend reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 100 people. The Israeli prime minister's office has denied that Hamas has shared a list of hostages with Israel. Ceasefire negotiations, which resumed in Doha, Qatar, have yet to show significant progress.

Hamas has stated that any agreement for the release of Israeli hostages is contingent upon a broader agreement that includes Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. A spokesperson for Hamas criticized the Israeli government for being unyielding in negotiations.

In a video released by Hamas, 19-year-old Israeli captive Liri Albag urged her government to negotiate for her freedom. She was captured during a deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, where approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage. According to Gaza's health ministry, Israeli military actions have resulted in at least 45,805 deaths in the territory.

As ceasefire discussions continue, the international community closely monitors the developments surrounding hostages and escalating violence in the region.

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