Negotiators near deal with Hamas for initial release of 50 hostages, 20-25 more likely to be freed later

Negotiations are very near to an agreement with Hamas to release the first 50 civilians in exchange for Israel allowing in more aid, including fuel, and limited pause in fighting, according CBS News, citing multiple sources. There may be more releases of civilian hostages in the future, added the report. According to the media outlet, citing two sources familiar with the developments, at this stage, there is no firm deal in hand but rather a written draft agreement that is being passed between parties who remain locked in what were described as very difficult talks brokered with the help of the US and Qatar. In an interview with CBS News’ Margaret Brennan, White House senior national security advisor Jon Finer said the US is “closer than we have been to reaching a final agreement” and that “many areas of difference that previously existed” in the hostage discussions “have been narrowed.” Finer clarified that discussing the evolving diplomacy in public would not be beneficial and noted that previous agreements had been close before failing. Although there was a lot of optimism last week that negotiations with Hamas would finally be resolved, two regional officials pointed to the Israeli military’s attack on the al-Shifa hospital as a reason for the difficulties. During a press conference on Sunday in Doha, Qatar’s prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said the parties are “close to reaching an agreement and described the remaining issues preventing an emerging agreement between Israel and Hamas as “very minor” logistical issues. A source with knowledge of the draft deal told CBS News that the current proposal would involve 50 hostages being released on day one with a limited pause in fighting that would last around four days for a duration of six hours a day. If that release and pause happens as planned, there would be a second release of around 20-25 hostages, the source added. Israel has presented a list of approximately 100 civilian hostages it wants included in the agreement, reported CNN, citing a source. Israel has publicly demanded that all hostages be released. However, Hamas indicated it would be willing to release 50 hostages over a multiday pause. More hostages, around 20 to 25, could be released after that as the pauses are extended. Hamas has said it needs pauses in fighting to gather the hostages who are being held in different places and by different Hamas-allied groups in Gaza. According to Reuters, the National Security Council and the Israeli embassy to the US declined to comment on the development. The Qatari Embassy to the US didn’t respond immediately to a request for comment, it added. There are still details to be worked out over aid, with Israel expressing concern that aid could go to help Hamas rather than civilians. Hamas initially requested 500 trucks of aid per day, one of the sources told Reuters. One source said no agreement has been reached on how many aid trucks could enter Gaza but that more than 200 trucks was logistically challenging. With inputs from agencies