Qatar-mediated talks aims to release 12 hostages held by Hamas: Source

Negotiations mediated by Qatar are ongoing to secure the release of 12 hostages held by Palestinian Islamist militant group Hamas in exchange for a 3-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, a source familiar with the negotiations.

Qatar, where several political leaders of Hamas are based, has taken the lead in mediating between Hamas and Israeli officials.

The hostages were captured during an incursion by Hamas into Israel on October 7, resulting in the tragic loss of 1,400 lives.

After the October 7 Hamas attack, Israel has intensified its military operations in Gaza, leading to a total death toll of 10,569 individuals, with 40 percent of them being children, as reported by Palestinian officials.

The negotiations are coordinated with the United States, the source told Reuters, adding that the pause should allow Hamas to gather details of all civilian hostages and secure the release of dozens more.

“The exact number is still unclear at this stage,” said the source, who declined to be named.

A separate Egyptian security source also said a 24-48-hour ceasefire or limitation of the main zone of operations was expected within the next week in return for a release of hostages.

The U.S. and other countries have stepped up pressure on Israel to get this done, the source said.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he had urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pause fighting for humanitarian reasons. G7 foreign ministers, meeting in Tokyo, called for a humanitarian pause in the fighting.

The United Nations says Gaza’s health system is close to collapse, battered by air strikes, flooded with patients, and running out of medicines and fuel.