Israelis held hostage in Gaza - part 3

[StarbucksSmarterSister]

Part 3.

I hope they come home soon and there's no need for a part 4.

This was reported in the Times of Israel today

A high-level Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo last night for talks on releasing hostages held by Hamas, an Egyptian source confirms to the Al-Araby Al-Jadid newspaper.
The development indicates that indirect talks are back on track, after the assassination of senior Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in Lebanon last week in a strike widely attributed to Israel.

I’m really confused about what happened last night as everywhere is being very secretive . Is it the 4 Israeli soldiers killed as mentioned by Klompas or something else ?

@Kaffeebitte 2 separate incidents yesterday. 5 more soldiers names have been released. An IDF truck carrying soldiers and explosives exploded, and Hamas attacked a building, collapsing it on other soldiers.

the secrecy is because the IDF aims to inform the families of casualties before it is out in the media, so the news is broken to them in person and they don’t find out by accident. The media complies with this.

israel delegation arrived in Cairo for hostage negotiations.

https://x.com/henmazzig/status/1744804744756166705?s=46

Mother of Eliya Cohen (27) pleading for news about him. It’s been 3 months 💔

Let's hope there is some news

Just read this update:

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz has a few more details on new efforts to free hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
As we reported earlier, Israel’s security cabinet will discuss a deal mediated by Qatar to release all the Israeli hostages. Haaretz says the proposal would see hostages freed in several batches in exchange for safe passage out of Gaza into exile for Hamas leaders, and a retreat by the Israeli Defense Forces from the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli cabinet was meeting on Wednesday night, Haaretz said.
Separately, it reports that an Israeli delegation visited Cairo on Wednesday for discussions with Egyptian politicians on a possible swap of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners and detainees held by Israel. It cites an Egyptian official.

@EllaDisenchanted are you hearing anything your end regarding the hostages and a possible deal?

@stomachamaleon Not much more really. Times of Israel wrote an article, which I'll link.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/war-cabinet-said-set-to-discuss-qatari-deal-for-hostage-release-exile-of-hamas-leaders/

@EllaDisenchanted I hate to think what state the hostages are in both mentally and physically. I really hope a deal can be done.

Same :(

israel and qatar successfully negotiated medications for the hostages which are expected to be delivered in the next few days ♥️
today is the 99th day they have been held hostage.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/100-days-after-oct-7-attack-freed-hostage-leads-nyc-rally-urging-return-of-abductees/amp/

@EllaDisenchanted that's amazing :)

That's excellent news.

@EllaDisenchanted delivered by the Red Cross? Any idea if they will be able to check on welfare?

BBC says yes to Red Cross, so did ynet, Reuters doesn’t say who will transfer meds.

surprisingly mainstream Israeli papers (j post / TOI) have not yet reported that the deal was finalised, although mentioned recently that it was in the works. I don’t subscribe to Haaretz so can’t check there.

No idea re checking welfare. Hamas don’t want their location known, so I would assume very unlikely. Reportedly a number are in critical condition. There have been reports as well that the IDF have been working to stop the hostages being smuggled out through Egypt to other places (I think Iran).

@EllaDisenchanted I will have a look.
That was always my concern from when they were taken. If they won't confirm who they have, how they are etc then they could easily be smuggled out.
It doesn't bare thinking about.

Released hostages talked about how Hamas have been moving them over Gaza using the humanitarian corridors, in disguise.

I understand and agree with the need for the corridors, but it clearly comes at the expense of saving the hostages.

Really glad to hear this and I hope the medication does reach them, although really they should just be releasing the hostages back to Israel.
Any more news on a deal for the release?

I saw this reported yesterday on BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67965009.amp

And this today:

"A Hamas official thanked Qatar on Saturday for sending medicine to Gaza “in light of the many risks that threaten the lives of Palestinians”, Reuters reports.
Speaking at a news conference in Beirut, Lebanon-based Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said: “Some medicine will be used to treat Israeli prisoners.”
On Friday, Israel announced that it had reached an arrangement with Qatar that will allow medicine to be delivered to hostages currently held by Hamas in Gaza"

@EllaDisenchanted oh so from what @Parkingt111 has quoted it's not a done deal that the medicine will be used for the hostages?
I suppose it's better than nothing though.

@stomachamaleon times of Israel is reporting that Netanyahus office will send the medicine soon. And the above seems like Hamas is saying they will use the medicine sent by Qatar.

Maybe more details will come to light that will clarify it.

Some medicine will be used to treat Israeli prisoners

That's the quote I was referring too.