Hostages

[TakeMe2Insanity]

This is running on Al Jazeera and others - apparently Israel refused to take back two hostages.

https://english.alarabiya.net/amp/News/middle-east/2023/10/21/Hamas-says-intended-to-release-two-hostages-but-Israel-refused-to-receive-them

Yes to psychological games but also total lack of goodwill

The Thai government have had someone in Tehran independently negotiating with Hamas for the 7 Thai hostages because of the deadlock

And Putin asked the senior Hamas who visited just before the violent outbreak of antisemitism in Dagestan for the return of 6 Russian hostages circumventing the negotiations

Oh yes you are right
I did read a day or two ago that the Thai government said they are aware that the Thai hostages are alive and well

Also Hamas said they wanted to release the Russian hostages because Putin asked them to but it was a case of being able to locate where they were

There is a planned protest outside Netanyahus residence today so I think we should see a statement from the Israeli side today in this regard

Here's a bit more @Parkingt111 - doesn't sound very encouraging

Biden urged Netanyahu to agree to three-day pause in fighting

Joe Biden urged Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a three-day pause in fighting to allow progress in releasing some of the hostages held by Hamas, according to an Axios report, citing two US and Israel officials.

Citing the US official, Axios reported that under a proposal that is being discussed between the US, Israel and Qatar, Hamas would release 10-15 hostages. They would also use the three-day pause to verify the identities of all the hostages and deliver a list of names of the people it is holding, the official said.

During the call on Monday, Netanyahu told Biden that he does not trust Hamas’ intentions and doesn not believe they are ready to agree to a deal regarding the hostages, the two US and Israeli officials said.

I think Biden is also starting to get frustrated. A three day pause to release hostages and allow in aid would be a great start and some much needed relief on both sides.
Also for the family of the hostages who are spending each day in agony not knowing if their family members are alive or not, wouldn't they want to know?

I would want independent verification that hostages were alive. There is a three year old orphaned girl missing. Presumed taken hostage. I would want to know they are ok because most of the Hamas statements say ' we are not sure where they are' or the equivalent.
I also think it's all testing water. I don't believe Biden is asking anyone what they think regarding next moves. They all have a plan.

Yes independent verification not some vague numbers or statements.
But then how would that verification take place?
And yes there must be alot happening behind the scenes that we are not aware of.

Yeah sounded like a nice little package to start with and build on -esp all the vital admin stuff for the families sakes

And very frustrating to have it re-buffed like that

@Parkingt111 one of the more sympathetic Middle Eastern countries? Or a mixture of a few, a task force like the French said?
I would need to see them.... viable signs that they are alive. Just the truth. If they are dead then say that.
The cynic in me doesn't think Biden is getting frustrated. I think he knows the score but if he says that then no manoeuvre in any way. If he keeps releasing that info.... or implies it.... it keeps everyone on side. Let's be honest there is less and less empathy for Israel but we can all see why it's happening. If America is unbending what does that tell you?
I could have it all wrong though....

I can think of Qatar and the UN but I don't think Israel will trust the UN
I think Israel should choose a country of their choice to be involved if it could work
Most likely the US

So Israel would use the US as mediator and Hamas use Qatar

@Stomacharmeleon @Efacsen
In the Haaretz it says the families were notified at the time

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-14/ty-article/.premium/israeli-army-raids-gaza-strip-retrieves-bodies-of-missing-israelis/0000018b-2bc6-dff1-a5eb-ffff1b670000

Maybe I've got it all wrong

Actually no you might be right
Because apart from the day that the bodies were retrieved, I can't find any other article
And they can't have identified all in one day?

Any that were in a bad way would need DNA identification - so maybe only just becoming available?? DNA labs will already be backed up with ID'ing people from the 7/10 massacre?

Possibly but I am non the wiser.
If the three day pause does happen then we can be alot more optimistic on the release of atleast some hostages
Right now it seems almost impossible

IDK perhaps the most likely reason for the lack of further information is that the families of the deceased hostages have asked for privacy?

Also not wildly optimistic that the 3 day pause will happen but would be very happy to be proved wrong

This is the full article, again I know many are dismissive of Al Jazeera but I have found that sometimes they have first hand information from Qatari sources who are directly involved in negotiating the release of hostages
It seems there has been a greater push by Biden

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/8/news-reports-say-qatar-mediated-talks-aim-to-free-over-10-hamas-captives

Thanks for that @Parkingt111. I Don't how I feel about that article. 'Hamas-held captives' and half of them being American. Language is a funny old thing.

I just want the children out first. The babies and the small ones. There is no legitimate reason to hold them. They must be terrified without their parents.

@Stomacharmeleon BBC have put out am update that Netanyahu has said the whole thing that many outlets are reporting is just rumours

Unfortunately

Saying that.... would you say anything? If there is a chance? Particularly if it's a pause not a ceasefire and you don't want to tip Hamas off.... I am working on the assumption Qatar knows exactly where hostages are.
So many variables.

I don't really know what to think.
I hardly ever see Netanyahu talking about the hostages unless it's just to say that there won't be a ceasefire until the hostages are released and that's it
Unless he talks more about it in Israel and the media don't report it?

Latest 'rumours' on hostage negotiations

Negotiations underway for three-day humanitarian ceasefire

Negotiations are underway to reach a three-day humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for the release of about a dozen hostages held by Hamas. That’s according to two officials from Egypt, one from the United Nations and a Western diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic efforts.

The deal would enable more aid, including limited amounts of fuel, to enter the besieged territory to alleviate worsening conditions for the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped there. It is being brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, according to the officials and the diplomat.

One of the Egyptian officials says details of the deal were discussed this week in Cairo with the visiting CIA chief and an Israeli delegation. The official said mediators are finalizing a draft deal.

A senior US official said the Biden administration has not put forward any specific time frame for a pause in Israel’s military operations but has suggested that Israel consider tying the length of a pause to the release of a certain number of hostages.

If an agreement on the duration of the pause and the number of hostages to be freed can be reached and the deal successfully implemented, the same formula could be revisited for additional pauses and releases, according to the official.

The other thing I've seen is Netanyahu saying several times is that the hostages [and humanitarian aid] aren't a 'priority' and also his reluctance to meet the hostages and missing families - which when it finally happened was swiftly followed by another no hostages/no ceasefire declaration

IMO negotiations are a total anathema to him - he'd much prefer the IDF to ride in and rescue them all - which to be fair they have done before but in different circumstances and not large number of hostages

@Efacsen I can see the sense of tying length of pause to how many hostages released. The families need hope and if they are dead then their bodies back.

I hope it happens I really do