No One Has Any Idea How Many Israeli Hostages Are Alive: Hamas

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has reached a critical juncture, with the fate of the remaining 120 Israeli hostages in Gaza becoming a pivotal issue in negotiations. 

A senior Hamas official recently disclosed to CNN a troubling uncertainty: “No one has an idea” how many of these hostages are still alive. 

This revelation casts a shadow over the already fraught efforts to broker a ceasefire and end the violence.

Osama Hamdan, a spokesperson and political bureau member of Hamas, spoke to CNN from Beirut, outlining the militant group's demands. 

According to Hamdan, any deal to release the hostages must include a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. 

He criticized the latest proposal, introduced by U.S. President Joe Biden, for failing to meet these conditions. 

Hamdan emphasized the need for Israel to clearly commit to ending hostilities and allowing Palestinians to determine their future and rebuild their society independently.

Negotiations have become increasingly intense but recently hit a deadlock. 

Hamdan mentioned that Hamas presented numerous changes to the U.S.-backed proposal, causing significant delays.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed frustration with Hamas’s amendments, noting that some were unfeasible. 

Blinken continues to insist that Hamas holds the key to ending the conflict, urging the group to show a genuine willingness to conclude the war.

The ceasefire plan, approved by the United Nations Security Council, proposes a phased approach. Initially, there would be a six-week ceasefire, during which some hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, and Israeli forces would withdraw from populated areas in Gaza. 

The second phase, involving a permanent end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal, would require further negotiations. 

However, Hamdan voiced skepticism about Israel’s commitment to a lasting ceasefire, calling for the U.S. to ensure Israel's agreement to a permanent peace.

Despite assurances from U.S. officials that Israel supports the ceasefire plan, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly committed to it. 

Under significant pressure to clarify his position, Netanyahu has maintained that the war will not end until Hamas is eliminated. 

Blinken reiterated that Israel is prepared to accept the proposal, attributing the stalled negotiations to Hamas.

When questioned about Hamas’s role in the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, Hamdan deflected responsibility, framing the October 7 attacks as a response to Israeli occupation. 

These attacks, the deadliest in Israel’s history, resulted in over 1,200 deaths, primarily civilians, and led to the abduction of about 250 individuals into Gaza. 

Israel's retaliation has been severe, with over 37,000 reported deaths in Gaza, mostly women and children, and widespread displacement of residents.

Reports claiming that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar considered the deaths of thousands of Palestinians as “necessary sacrifices” were dismissed by Hamdan as fabrications. 

Sinwar, designated as a terrorist by numerous international bodies, has remained hidden since the conflict began, believed to be in Gaza’s extensive tunnel network.

The dire uncertainty surrounding the hostages’ fate and the ongoing violence highlight the urgent need for a resolution. 

As negotiations continue, the hope for peace rests on the delicate and challenging discussions between the involved parties.