GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (BN24) — Hamas said Wednesday it has agreed to release 10 hostages as part of ongoing negotiations over a potential Gaza ceasefire, describing the talks as “difficult” but necessary to ease the suffering of civilians.
The announcement came after four days of indirect discussions brokered by Qatar and as the United States signaled optimism that an agreement could be finalized before the end of the week. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said the proposed deal would include a 60-day truce and the return of 10 living hostages taken during Hamas’s October 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel.
Of the 251 hostages seized in the cross-border attack, 49 remain in captivity inside Gaza, according to Israeli authorities, including 27 who the military says are dead.
In its statement, Hamas cautioned that significant obstacles remain. The group cited demands for unimpeded humanitarian aid deliveries into Gaza, a withdrawal of Israeli forces, and what it called “real guarantees” for a permanent cessation of hostilities.
“The movement displayed the required flexibility and agreed to release 10 prisoners,” Hamas said. “Despite the difficulty of negotiations over these issues until now due to the intransigence of the occupation, we continue to work seriously and with a positive spirit with the mediators to overcome the hurdles and end the suffering of our people and ensure their aspirations to freedom, safety and a dignified life.”
Israeli officials have also expressed guarded optimism in recent days. Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said military operations had created the conditions necessary to secure the hostages’ return.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking to FOX Business Network’s Mornings, suggested that a resolution could be near. “I think we’re getting closer to a deal,” Netanyahu said. “There’s a good chance that we’ll have it.”
After meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday, Netanyahu maintained that Israel would not abandon its campaign to dismantle Hamas but did not rule out agreeing to a temporary halt in fighting.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said a limited truce was “achievable” and could open the door to further negotiations toward a lasting peace. President Isaac Herzog described the talks as offering “a historic opportunity” for change in the conflict that has devastated Gaza and reshaped Israeli politics.
Hamas’s October attack on Israeli communities near the Gaza border killed roughly 1,200 people, triggering a military response that has since left tens of thousands dead across Gaza, according to local health officials. The fighting has displaced most of the territory’s 2.3 million residents, caused widespread hunger, and destroyed vital infrastructure.
As negotiations in Doha continued, aid agencies and mediators expressed hope that an initial agreement could allow more humanitarian supplies to reach civilians and create space for further diplomacy.
