Negotiations to release the hostages have stalled because Hamas, which is demanding fuel in return, is only willing to release a small portion of the 239 people held captive on October 7. American sources with knowledge of the negotiations told NBCnews. “Hamas insists it wants fuel, Israel, the United States and other countries want the release of a large group of hostages,” the sources explain, emphasizing that negotiations stalled before Israel began the second phase of its campaign on Friday evening Offensive with ground troops launched in the Gaza Strip.
“Negotiations went well on Thursday and negotiators were hopeful that an agreement could be reached over the weekend – sources on the ongoing talks in Doha say – but the differences that emerged on Friday morning led to a stalemate.” Among the 239 Hostages include children and the elderly, as well as citizens with passports from 25 countries, including 54 Thais, 15 Argentines, 12 Americans, 12 Germans, six French and six Russians. The negotiations so far have led to the release of four hostages.