Israel-Hamas Conflict: Qatar Reportedly Seeks Deal That Will Free All Hostages In Hamas Captivity

Israel, Hamas still negotiating through mediators on potential truce extension

As of Wednesday afternoon local time, Israel and Hamas are still negotiating through mediators for a possible extension to the ceasefire agreement that will end early Thursday.

Both parties have received the lists of hostages and prisoners to be freed Wednesday, but there is still no word if the youngest hostage being held in Gaza, 10-month-old Kfir Bibas, will be released on the sixth and potentially last day of the truce.

Freed siblings didn't eat and sleep well while in Hamas captivity for 52 days

Sharon, the aunt of Erez and Sahar Kalderon, who were among the children recently freed by Hamas, told local i24 News that the siblings have not eaten nor slept well in the past "terrible, terrible" 52 days they spent in Hamas captivity.

The kids also did not see sunlight throughout the said period and "didn't know whether the other one was alive until they were released."

Qatar seeks negotiations for deal to allow release of all remaining hostages: report

Qatar is looking to negotiate a truce agreement that will include the release of all hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, The Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday. The mega deal may include a provision to put an end to the war, as per the report.

Israel and the mediating sides have yet to confirm talks regarding a ceasefire deal of such magnitude. If such a truce agreement is being discussed, it could see the release of more men hostages, as well as Israeli soldiers that were also taken to Gaza during the Oct. 7 invasion in Israel.

4-year-old Israeli-American girl's aunt requests for child's privacy

Ella Moore, the aunt of 4-year-old Abigail Idan, who was among the children freed by Hamas in recent days, told local media the child "should be given her privacy" as the family believes she "went through some difficult things" in captivity.

Idan's parents were murdered by Hamas operatives on Oct. 7, after which the then-3-year-old Abigail was abducted and taken to Gaza. She turned four while being held in Gaza. Moore said she receives "900 adoption offers" on a daily basis, but she reiterated the family was not giving the child up for adoption.

Idan is the only American national that Hamas freed so far since the ceasefire started Friday.

Freed 9-year-old now 'whispers' after Hamas captivity experiences: father

Thomas Hand, the father of Emily, 9, who was among the hostages that Hamas released, said his daughter used to be a "normal happy noisy kid," but after returning from captivity, "she whispers – she was moving her lips with no volume or even air coming out."

Hand said his daughter was ordered to stay silent by her captors and "got used" to whispering throughout her 50-day stay in captivity in Gaza.

Read the full story here.

Pope Francis hopes ceasefire extends

Pope Francis called for the truce deal between Israel and Hamas to be extended during his General Audience message Wednesday, saying "war is always a defeat."

"May we please continue to pray for the serious situation in Israel and Palestine ... peace, please, peace," he said.

Hamas official says 2 Russian hostages to be freed: report

Mousa Abu Marzook, a senior member and co-founder of Hamas, said the terror group will release two hostages "of Russian origin" on Wednesday, Israeli media reported. The move is "outside" the existing ceasefire-hostage agreement with Israel but will be done "as a sign of appreciation for Russian President [Vladimir] Putin," according to the report.

German ambassador to Israel slams 'disgraceful' Hamas hostage release documentation

Germany's ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert called out the "disgraceful" manner in which Hamas freed hostages Tuesday. "The atmosphere the terrorists now create around the release of their hostages – half Islamist rally, half party – is disgraceful and must be so hard for these women and children emerging from the tunnels to walk through," he wrote on X Wednesday.

Hamas published footage of its operations to hand over 12 hostages to the Red Cross, wherein Palestinians can be seen cheering in the background as the freed hostages walk towards Red Cross personnel.

Bibas family not on Wednesday's hostage release list: relative

Yossi Schneider, the cousin of Shiri Bibas, said Shiri, her husband, and her children, 4-year-old Ariel and 10-month old Kfir, are not on the list of hostages that Hamas will free Wednesday, local media reported.

Schneider added that they were not informed Hamas had transferred Shiri and her family to another militant group until the IDF made the announcement Tuesday.

Hamas reportedly ready for 4-day truce extension

Hamas is willing to extend the six-day ceasefire deal for four more days, AFP reported, citing a source close to the Palestinian militant group.

The news comes following Hamas' claims that it proposed to Israel an expansion of the existing truce agreement to include men and military captives.

Israel willing to consider Hamas proposal of expanding truce deal if current terms honored: report

Israel is willing to consider Hamas' proposition to expand the terms of the current ceasefire-hostage deal to include abducted men and even Israeli soldiers if the militant group honors the current agreement, The Washington Post reported, citing an Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

After Wednesday's releases of mostly children, it is believed that around 20 to 30 female hostages will remain in Gaza, the official said, adding that Israel is willing to continuously extend the truce deal as long as 10 women are released for each day of the ceasefire extension.

Israel, Hamas reach 'preliminary understanding' to extend truce: report

Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached a "preliminary understanding" to extend the ceasefire for two more days, The Guardian said, citing the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper.

The Israeli government has yet to officially confirm the report.

Rep. Tlaib calls for release of all hostages and jailed Palestinians

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., called for the release of "all hostages" and "Palestinian political prisoners" in a statement Wednesday. She specifically expressed support for "the release of Israeli civilians" and called for her fellow U.S. House members "to demand the same for Palestinian civilians being held by Israeli forces without charge or trial."

Tlaib's statements came about three weeks after the House voted to censure her over her rhetoric about the Israel-Hamas war. The House members voted 234-188 on the measure put forth by Rep. Rich McCormick, R-Ga. McCormick said Tlaib "levied unbelievable falsehoods about our greatest ally, Israel, and the attack on October 7."

A House censure is only one level below getting expelled from the House.

Freed Palestinian reportedly refused to leave Israel

Alaa Abu Sanima, one of the Palestinians freed by Israel Sunday, rejected his dismissal from the Israeli prison where he was detained for the reason that he would not receive a salary from the Palestinian Authority when he returns home, local media reported.

Sanima was still freed despite his efforts to remain in the Israeli jail, as per the report.

IDF warns Gaza residents anew against moving north

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee on Wednesday reiterated his daily message to Gaza residents since the ceasefire started on Nov. 24 that they are forbidden from moving north from the southern part of the strip.

He added that "it is forbidden to approach within a kilometer of the border" and that residents are only allowed to move to the south from northern Gaza.

G7 foreign ministers reiterate support for Israel, call out Houthis

The Group of 7 (G7) foreign ministers on Tuesday reaffirmed the group's support for Israel's right to defend itself under international law "as it seeks to prevent a recurrence of the October 7 attacks."

They also called for "every effort" to be made in ensuring that humanitarian aid for Gaza civilians is unimpeded, adding that they support "the further extension of this pause and future pauses," as per a joint statement.

The foreign ministers welcomed the release of hostages from Hamas captivity, urging the terror group to free the remaining abducted individuals "immediately and unconditionally."

The G7 ministers "especially" called out Yemen's Houthi rebels for their illegal seizure of a Japanese-operated cargo ship linked to an Israeli company. They said the Houthis should release the ship and its crew immediately, emphasizing the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation.

Philippine president thanks Israel, mediators after Filipino hostage freed

Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. thanked Israel, Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in getting Filipino hostage Noralyn Babadilla released from Hamas captivity.

Babadilla's release marks the end of Manila's search for Filipinos unaccounted for since the Oct. 7 attacks.

"We extend our sincerest gratitude to Israeli authorities for facilitating Noralyn's release, and for all ongoing assistance to Filipinos in Israel," the Philippine president said.

He also thanked Egypt and Qatar "for their crucial role" in securing the release of hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

Ceasefire extension will depend on Hamas activity: Israeli official

A possible extension to the six-day ceasefire deal will depend "on the conduct of Hamas," local media reported Wednesday, citing an Israeli political official.

The news comes after clashes were reported between Israeli troops and Hamas combatants in northern Gaza Tuesday.

Israel says Hamas violated truce deal Tuesday

Hamas combatants "attacked" Israeli troops operating within the agreed ceasefire lines Tuesday, IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said Wednesday. "A short battle ensued" due to the attacks, after which Hamas militants retreated, he said.

While the Israeli army views the attacks as a "violation" of the ceasefire framework, the IDF said it is focused on the return of freed hostages at this time.

Hamas claimed it was Israel that violated the ceasefire deal.

Conricus said Israeli forces are operating "according to the pause."

15 minors among Palestinians released: Qatar

Majed Al Ansari, official spokesperson of Qatar's foreign ministry, said 15 minors were among the Palestinian detainees freed by Israel Tuesday.

IDF reports gunfire exchange in northern Gaza over explosives

The Israeli army on Tuesday said three explosive devices were activated in two separate cases "near the IDF forces." The said incidents were "contrary to the ceasefire agreement," the IDF said.

At one point, shots were allegedly fired at Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers fired back at the sources of the gunfire. During the exchanges, "the IDF forces stayed within the agreed ceasefire lines," the IDF noted.

Israeli troops reportedly surround a house in Jenin

Israeli forces surrounded a house in Jenin in the West Bank and demanded that the people inside the residents turn themselves in, local media reported, citing Palestinian reports.

The IDF has said it continues to make arrests among wanted individuals in the West Bank, Judea, Samaria and other areas, with several of the arrested during the ceasefire period being members of Hamas.

12-year-old freed hostage's testimony demonstrates Hamas' cruelty: IDF spox

The testimony of 12-year-old Eitan Yahalomi, who was freed Monday by Hamas, "demonstrates that Hamas is a cruel terrorist organization," said IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari in a statement posted on X early Wednesday.

Yahalomi's aunt, Deborah Cohen, told local media that the boy was forced to watch footage that showed the horrific attacks in Israel on Oct. 7 by Hamas militants.

He said it is the world's "moral obligation as humans to insist that the Red Crescent fulfills its responsibility." Hamas has prevented Red Cross personnel from seeing hostages since they were abducted more than seven weeks ago.

Netanyahu holds meeting with security cabinet

The Israeli prime minister spoke with members of the security cabinet Tuesday night, his office said on X. The meeting took place amid increasing pressure from the international community to extend the ceasefire beyond Wednesday.

One photo posted by Netanyahu's office shows the prime minister having a conversation with the IDF's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi.

Netanyahu previously reiterated that the war will continue after the ceasefire and Israel will win against Hamas as Israel won't have a future if it doesn't defeat the terror group.

Aunt of 12-year-old freed hostage says child was forced by Hamas to watch Oct. 7 videos

The aunt of Eitan Yahalomi, 12, who was among the hostages freed by Hamas Monday, said in an interview that the boy was forced by Hamas to watch "horrific" videos of the terror group's Oct. 7 attacks in Israel.

Cohen noted that Yahalomi revealed "every time one of the kids cried, they [Hamas] threatened them with a gun to silence them," adding that when the boy was taken to Gaza, "all the residents, everyone, beat him," as per a translation by the Israeli government.

When asked in the interview if she expected her nephew to go through such trauma while in Hamas captivity, she said she didn't expect it. "Maybe I am naïve, but I wanted to hope he was treated well. Turns out he wasn't. They're monsters," she said.

Yahalomi's father, Ohad, is still being held in Gaza, the child's aunt said.

Hamas says it's ready for a ceasefire deal that may include the release of soldiers: official

Ghazi Hamad, a member of Hamas' political bureau, said Tuesday that the militant group is "striving to extend the truce" by using its available cards, adding that it is in regular communication with Qatar and Egypt amid efforts "by other countries" to pile pressure for a ceasefire, as per CNN.

While there are "so far" no talks regarding the release of captive Israeli soldiers, he said Hamas is open "to achieve a comprehensive or partial" truce deal.

"The comprehensive deal relates to the military (captives) in exchange for the release of all Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons, or it may be a partial (deal) related to civilians, and this will be subject to the negotiations," Hamad said in a statement.

His comments came after the warring sides agreed to extend its existing ceasefire deal for two more days to facilitate the hostage-prisoner exchange.

House overwhelmingly passes resolution reaffirming Israel's right to exist

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution Tuesday at 412-1. It reaffirms the State of Israel's right to exist.

Only one representative, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., voted against the resolution introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., while Rep. Tlaib of Michigan voted "present," which basically means she is not contributing to the passage or failure of the resolution.

Aside from reaffirming Israel's right to existence, the resolution also:

• Recognizes the denial of Israel's right to exist as "a form of anti-Semitism"
• Rejects calls for Israel to be destroyed, and
• Condemns the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks against Israel

Lawler said he is "proud that 210 Republicans and 202 Democrats set aside our differences and came together to show support for our closest ally in the Middle East."

Thai foreign minister welcomes 2 freed hostages

Thailand's foreign minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, welcomed the two Thai nationals freed by Hamas Tuesday when they arrived at Al Shamir Medical Center in Israel. They are expected to return home to Thailand "soon," Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) wrote on X.

White House 'hopeful' Americans will be released Wednesday

The White House said it is hoping the two American women, who were expected to be among the first batch of 50 hostages to be freed by Hamas, can finally return home.

"No Americans, unfortunately, got out today. But we're hopeful. You know, tomorrow is another day. And we certainly hope that we can see some more Americans out," National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson John Kirby said during a press briefing Tuesday.

Kirby further noted that the Biden administration is "in favor" of the ceasefire deal being extended beyond the six-day stretch.

12 hostages released Tuesday

A total of 12 hostages were freed by Hamas Tuesday, the IDF and Netanyahu's office confirmed. Ten of the freed hostages are Israeli and two are Thai nationals. Some of the Israelis hold dual citizenship, as per the Israeli government.

Their families have been informed, and the IDF said the returning hostages underwent initial medical evaluation.