Hamas’ refusal to hand over a list of the names of the hostages it still holds is hindering progress in the negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
After more than a week of intensive negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, Israel recalled its negotiators on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said there should be internal consultations on the continuation of the negotiations.
According to the reports, Hamas sources said they were prepared to hand over a list of hostages who could be released in a first phase following the ceasefire, but refused a demand by Israel to provide a complete list of the 100 hostages who are supposedly still alive.
The Palestinian Islamist militia accused Netanyahu of blocking the negotiations by making such a demand.
Palestinian families, who were forced to flee due to Israeli attacks, live in makeshift tents they set up in empty lands in Gaza City. Hadi Daoud/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
