Talks to Release Hostages , Break Down Ahead of Israel's , Ground Invasion of Gaza.
On October 27, negotiations to release some of the 239 hostages held by Hamas came to a halt over the militant group's demand for fuel deliveries to Gaza.
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NBC reports that a former U.S. official said that without those fuel deliveries, Hamas declined to guarantee the release of foreign captives.
The former U.S. official, an Israeli official and a diplomat, told NBC that the talks stalled prior to Israel's deployment of troops in Gaza later on October 27.
Talks were going very well on Thursday, and negotiators were hopeful a deal could be reached over the weekend, Anonymous diplomat, statement via NBC.
But differences emerged early Friday, which led to talks stalling, Anonymous diplomat, statement via NBC.
Talks to release the hostages have been ongoing since October 7, when Hamas launched a surprise attack that claimed the lives of over 1,000 Israeli civilians.
NBC reports that an estimated half of the 239 hostages are believed to come from as many as 25 foreign countries, .
Including 54 people from Thailand, 15 from Argentina, 12 from the U.S., 12 from Germany, six from France and six from Russia.
After Israel's ground operations were launched, Hamas’ leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, released a statement claiming the group was willing to continue negotiations.
We are ready for an immediate exchange deal that includes the release of all prisoners in the prisons of the Zionist enemy, in exchange for the release of all prisoners with the resistance, Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza, statement via NBC.
We are ready for an immediate exchange deal that includes the release of all prisoners in the prisons of the Zionist enemy, in exchange for the release of all prisoners with the resistance, Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza, statement via NBC
