US and European governments have been pressuring Israel to delay its ground invasion of Gaza in order to allow for ongoing secret negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, according to anonymous sources familiar with the situation. The talks, which involve Qatar as a mediator, are described as delicate and uncertain, but there are indications that Hamas may agree to release some of the hostages captured in a raid on October 7th without demanding any prisoner exchanges. In a late-night announcement on Friday, the US confirmed that two American women had been freed.
Initially, Israel had resisted any delay in its military operation, which was planned to be a significant campaign against Hamas following the deadly attack. However, under pressure from the US, Israel eventually agreed to hold off on the invasion. Publicly, Israeli officials have recently shifted their rhetoric, suggesting a more limited approach aimed at minimizing civilian casualties.
The October 7th attack by Hamas resulted in the capture of over 200 hostages, with over 1,400 fatalities. The hostages are being held in Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes and a blockade have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis. Among the hostages are more than 20 teenagers and young children and between 10 to 20 individuals over the age of 60, according to the Israeli military. The hostages include citizens from various countries, including the US, UK, France, and others.
When asked for comment, the White House and the Israeli government declined to respond. Hamas's armed wing previously stated that non-Israeli hostages would be released "when circumstances on the ground allow." Late on Friday, Hamas announced the release of a US citizen woman and her daughter, attributing it to Qatari efforts. This release has been verified by both Israel and the US.
US President Joe Biden thanked Qatar and Israel for their partnership in the efforts to secure the release of the American hostages, stating that the US had been working tirelessly to free its citizens and would continue its efforts to secure the release of those still held captive. Qatar's Foreign Ministry expressed its commitment to ongoing dialogue with both Israel and Hamas, hoping that these efforts would result in the release of all civilian hostages, regardless of nationality.
The US and its allies have been voicing support to Israel but also advocating for the need to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and minimize civilian casualties in the event of an invasion. The fear among US officials and others is that a harsh military assault could escalate tensions in the region, with Iran-backed groups potentially joining the conflict, leading to a wider war that may require US military intervention to support Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has maintained that it is dedicated to securing the release of the hostages while also aiming to eradicate Hamas from Gaza, where the group has held power for nearly two decades, establishing an extensive network of tunnels and infrastructure.
Israel's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, announced on Friday that the next phase of the Gaza operation would involve targeted maneuvers to neutralize terrorists and destroy Hamas infrastructure, warning that it could be a time-consuming process. Having been taken by surprise during the October 7th attack, Israel has been mobilizing additional forces, including over 300,000 reservists, in preparation for the next phase of the operation.