A hostage deal between Israel and Hamas is “not imminent,” diplomats familiar with the negotiations told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
The diplomats added that there are still several hurdles ahead and cautioned against believing recent optimistic reports describing a breakthrough in negotiations.
One issue that remains unsolved is that Hamas has yet to formulate a list of hostages that it is willing to release from captivity in Gaza, a source familiar with the negotiations specified.
Demands aren't finalized
Furthermore, the source added, Hamas had not yet presented a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants to be released as part of a hostage and ceasefire deal.
Israeli negotiators and officials have opposed making any guarantees to Hamas that would prohibit the IDF from continuing military operations inside the Gaza Strip following the completion of the deal’s ‘phase one,’ which would include an Israeli withdrawal.