Negotiators are cautiously hopeful that yesterday’s release of the two U.S. citizens “could lead to the release of additional hostages” held by Hamas. This is what a diplomatic source said about the ongoing negotiations, NBCnews reports today. “The Israelis are clear that they don’t want to talk until the hostages are released. Therefore, it would be better for Hamas to release them quickly,” the diplomat argues, “because it could lead to a broader dialogue or mediation.”
Negotiations over the fate of the hostages, in which Qatar is at the forefront, have had “ups and downs”, with a positive moment after Antony Blinken’s visit to Doha and a setback after the Gaza hospital explosion.
With the release of Judith Tai Raanan and Natalie Shoshana Raanan, “there is hope that this will be seen as an olive branch,” the sources further explain. Then there is also the beginning of the “arrival of aid” in Gaza, “although this is not part of an exchange or agreement”: “These represent positive steps that can hopefully lead to further positive steps and availability,” they conclude Sources.