Signs of life as hostage deal inches closer

Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, citing Egyptian sources, reported that Hamas is prepared to provide a detailed list of captives, including those killed, in exchange for a six or eight-week ceasefire in Gaza.

According to the report, the potential deal being discussed in Doha would allow more humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip and support the rehabilitation of its healthcare system. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu denied the report on Wednesday, calling it "a complete lie".

Meanwhile, President-elect Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to join negotiations over a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal on Wednesday in Doha. Witkoff's trip is part of a last-minute effort by the outgoing Biden administration and incoming Trump administration to secure a deal before Trump’s inauguration on 20 January.

Earlier this week, the BBC published a list of 34 hostages that Hamas has reportedly agreed to release in the first phase of a deal. The list, however, does not confirm which of the hostages are alive. This caused significant distress amongst the families of the hostages — both those whose loved ones appear on the list and those left out.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office denied claims that Hamas had provided Israel with the list of hostages. "The list of hostages published in the media was not passed on to Israel by Hamas, but was originally passed from Israel to intermediaries as early as July 2024," it said.

The IDF recovered the body of 53-year-old hostage Youssef Ziadna in an underground tunnel in southern Gaza, the military said on Wednesday. Troops also discovered what the military described as "findings... which raise serious concerns" for the life of Ziadna's 22-year-old son, Hamza, who was also abducted by Hamas during the October 7 attack.

Two of Hamza's siblings, Aisha and Bilal, were also seized alongside them but were among the 105 hostages released during a week-long ceasefire in November 2023. Youssef and his son Hamza were believed to still be alive before Wednesday’s announcement.

On Saturday, Hamas’ armed wing released a video purportedly showing an Israeli hostage held in Gaza since its October 2023 attack. The footage depicts Liri Albag, 19, pleading with the Israeli government to reach a deal. The three-and-a-half-minute video was undated, although Albag stated in it that she had been held for over 450 days, indicating it was filmed recently.

Albag was taken hostage along with six other female conscript soldiers at the Nahal Oz army base on the Gaza border during Hamas' October 7 attack. Five of them remain in captivity. In a statement, Liri's family said the video had “torn our hearts to pieces,” adding: “This is not the daughter and sister we know. Her severe psychological distress is evident. We appeal to the prime minister, world leaders, and all decision-makers: it’s time to act as if it were your own children there.”

Hours after the release of the video, thousands demonstrated across multiple locations in Israel, demanding the return of the hostages and criticising the government. Before the rallies, family members of the hostages, including Einav Zangauker, Danny Elgarat, Merav Svirsky, and Ifat Kalderon addressed the media.

“We just saw a sign of life from a heroic hostage who is surviving against all odds. Our hearts are with her family at this moment,” Zangauker said. “The White House says the deal is urgent and feasible, and there is talk of progress in the negotiations. But we know this is only a partial deal, one that would condemn my Matan and the soldiers and civilians left behind to a death sentence.”

Addressing Netanyahu directly, Zangauker added: “How many more hostages and soldiers need to die for your political survival?”

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IDF says body of hostage Youssef Ziyadne found in Gaza, ‘grave concerns’ for son’s life (Times of Israel)

Israeli military says body of Bedouin hostage found in Gaza (BBC)

No Israeli hostage deal will be signed until all sides agree on how to control Gaza (Haaretz)

Trump envoy will join Gaza talks in effort to reach a deal by inauguration (Axios)

Netanyahu denies Lebanese report of Gaza Cease-fire in exchange for intelligence on hostages (Haaretz)

Families of American hostages held in Gaza to attend Trump’s inauguration (JTA)

Hamas releases video of hostage Liri Albag, 19. Parents: ‘This is not the Liri we know’ (Times of Israel)

Family of hostage in latest Hamas video urges Netanyahu to take ‘opportunity to bring them back’ (CNN)

Thousands of Israelis protest for deal after Hamas releases video of hostage (Haaretz)