What's holding up Israel-Hamas hostage release, cease-fire deal?

Analysis

Rina Bassist

amlies of hostages and supporters hold signs and photos of hostages during a protest calling for an hostages deal with Hamas near the Israeli Prime Minister's residence on January 22, 2024in Jerusalem Israel. According to Israel, 132 hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza since the October 7 attack. As the conflict between Israel-Hamas conflict rages on, the IDF focused the military offensive on Khan Younes, now the epicenter of the clashes in southern Gaza. For their part, families of hostages in Israel — Families of hostages and supporters hold signs and photos of hostages during a protest calling for a hostages deal with Hamas near the Israeli Prime Minister's residence in Jerusalem on January 22, 2024. — Amir Levy/Getty Images

While shuttle diplomacy efforts persist, reports indicate that gaps are still considerable between Israel and Hamas over a potential deal that would see the release of hostages in Gaza in exchange for a cease-fire and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

Ismail Haniyeh, leader of Hamas' political bureau, is set to visit Cairo Wednesday to discuss the latest proposal negotiated last Sunday in Paris between Israeli, American, Qatari and Egyptian senior officials.

Here's a list of some of the major sticking points currently preventing a breakthrough.

Israel agrees to a prolonged cease-fire but not to end the war

What's holding up Israel-Hamas hostage release, cease-fire deal?

Reports indicate that Israel would have to release thousands of Palestinian prisoners, including those convicted of murder, in exchange for the release of the roughly 136 hostages held in Gaza.

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