GAZA STRIP, Jan 6, (V7N) – In a significant development, Hamas announced readiness to release 34 Israeli hostages as part of the "first phase" of a potential deal with Israel, as indirect talks facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States resumed in Doha over the weekend.

The discussions come amidst intensifying violence, with Israeli airstrikes killing at least 23 people in Gaza on Sunday. Nearly 15 months into the conflict, both sides are under international pressure to reach an agreement.

Details of the Proposed Exchange

Hamas confirmed it is prepared to release women, children, the elderly, and the sick from among the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. However, a Hamas official emphasized the need for a week-long ceasefire to confirm the status of the captives.

“We have agreed to release the 34 prisoners, whether alive or dead,” said the official, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

Israel has yet to receive a formal list of hostages, and its military claims 34 of the 96 remaining captives in Gaza are deceased.

Violence Intensifies in Gaza

The Israeli military launched more than 100 airstrikes across Gaza over the past two days, targeting what it described as “terror infrastructure.” Civil Defense officials in Gaza reported widespread destruction, with entire families among the casualties.

In northern Gaza, rescuers using "bare hands" attempted to retrieve victims buried under rubble after a deadly airstrike in Sheikh Radwan killed 11, including women and children.

Rocket Fire and Retaliation

The violence has been exacerbated by renewed rocket fire from Gaza, prompting intensified Israeli strikes. The military also announced the death of a senior Islamic Jihad commander during combat operations in the northern region.

Humanitarian Toll

Hamas's initial attack in October 2023 killed 1,208 people, mostly civilians, in Israel. Retaliatory Israeli strikes have since claimed over 45,000 lives in Gaza, with the UN confirming a majority of them as civilian casualties.

West Bank Tensions

The conflict has spilled into the West Bank, where Israeli forces killed a 17-year-old boy during a raid near the Askar refugee camp on Sunday, according to Palestinian officials.

Global Pressure for Resolution

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office on January 20, mediators express hope for renewed momentum in negotiations. A previous truce in November 2023 facilitated the release of 80 hostages and 240 Palestinian prisoners, but subsequent talks stalled amid mutual recriminations.

Observers remain cautiously optimistic that the latest round of discussions in Qatar could pave the way for a broader agreement, even as violence continues to surge.