Israel and Hamas clash over hostage release deal as Israeli strikes in Gaza intensify

NEWS WIRES

5 January 2025 at 3:42 pm·1-min read

Destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip on the border with Israel, January 5, 2024.

Israel and Hamas dispute the details of a new hostage release deal, with Hamas saying it has approved a list of 34 hostages presented by Israel, and Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office denying it has received the list. The dispute comes at the end of a weekend of intense Israeli airstrikes that have left more than 100 people dead.

Israel and Hamas wrangled on Sunday over the details of a deal to halt fighting in the Gaza Strip and return hostages home, as Palestinian officials said intensified Israeli bombardments had killed more than 100 people over the weekend.

A Hamas official said the group had approved a list of 34 Israeli hostages to be returned as part of a deal that could eventually lead to a ceasefire. But Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office swiftly issued a statement saying Hamas had not provided a hostage list.

A renewed push is underway to reach a ceasefire in the 15-month war between Israel and Hamas, and return Israeli hostages who were taken to Gaza, before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

The U.S. State Department said Israel must comply with international law and do "significantly more to ensure the protection of civilians". It added, however, that it supports Israel's right to defend itself.

(Reuters)

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