A Hamas source told the Saudi channel Al Arabiya that the terrorist organization has allegedly begun collecting deceased hostages. According to the source, Hamas requested "stopping the airstrikes to complete the mission." The source added that the release of living hostages would take place in a single phase, while the transfer of the deceased would take longer. In addition, the source claimed there was "American flexibility" on this issue.
The source also said Hamas had received American guarantees through Qatar for a "permanent" Israeli withdrawal, further claiming Hamas had agreed in principle to hand over its weapons to a "Palestinian-Egyptian authority" under international supervision and that the organization had informed the Americans of this. He noted that "the departure of Hamas leaders from the Gaza Strip depends on their decision."
The source added that Hamas had provided mediators with a list of living and deceased hostages to present to Israel, saying Israel "knows their exact number." He also claimed there were "American guarantees against harm to Hamas leaders."
The Saudi channel reported that the negotiations are expected to be fast and intensive and that Hamas has an interest in implementing the deal quickly. Hamas accused Israel of disrupting the talks by continuing its airstrikes in Gaza.
A senior Israeli political source confirmed that a request had been received through mediators to halt the airstrikes, at least in parts of the Strip, to allow the collection of both the living and deceased hostages.
Earlier, Hamas sources speaking to Asharq said that the mechanisms for carrying out a hostage deal included demands for a full ceasefire, an Israel Defense Forces withdrawal to the lines of the previous agreement (outside populated areas), and the grounding of aircraft for between 10 and 12 hours on the days of release.
The sources said Hamas would demand these measures also during the negotiation period, which could last a week or more. According to the report, Hamas also intends to discuss the criteria for the release of prisoners, maintaining that the organization adheres to the age principle—meaning that the older and longer-serving a prisoner is, the higher his release priority.
Asharq also reported that under this seniority criterion, Marwan Barghouti is number 60 on the list of prisoners serving life sentences. The Hamas sources warned that "the negotiations will reach a severe crisis" if Israel insists on refusing to release any of the senior prisoners.
