How Donald Trump's threats brought Hamas to table. Most of the 33 hostages to be freed are alive, says Israel

However, the exact number of casualties or the names of the deceased have not been revealed by either Israel or Hamas

Donald Trump Donald Trump in December 2024 said "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY" if Hamas fails to release the hostages before his inauguration as president on January 20 | Reuters

Israel and Hamas are in the "advanced stages" of the hostage and ceasefire negotiatons that could see the end of 15-month-long Gaza conflict, according to diplomats from Tel Aviv.

The truce deal is not finalised yet, according to the officials. The talks are progressing with mediators from Egypt, Qatar as well as the US Middle East envoys from the outgoing Joe Biden administration and the incoming Donald Trump administration.

Israeli officials said most of the 33 hostages who will be freed in the first phase of the ceasefire deal are alive. However, the exact number of casualties or the names of the deceased have not been revealed.

How Donald Trump's threats brought Hamas to table?

The Israeli diplomats said it was the threat from US president-elect Donald Trump that brought Hamas to the negotiation table.

Trump in December 2024 said "there will be ALL HELL TO PAY" if the militant group fails to release the hostages before his inauguration as president on January 20.

He went on to say that those responsible will be hit harder than anyone has been hit in the history of the US.

On January 7, Trump reiterated his statement, saying "all hell will break out in the Middle East" if the hostage deal does not take place before January 20.

The hostages include children, women, the sick, the elderly and a few female soldiers. Once the first phase comes into effect, Israel is expected to start negotiating on the next phase wherein male soldiers and men of military age will released.

At total of 94 hostages are in Hamas custody currently, as per estimates. At least 34 of them are confirmed dead.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's adviser Ophir Falk is in Doha to finalise the deal along with Mossad chief David Barnea, Shin Bet chief Ron Bar and IDF's hostage point man Major General Nitzan Alon.

Biden's Middle East envoy Brett McGurk as well as Trump's pick for US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff are also at the table.

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