US asked Hamas to release 10 Israeli captives in return for extending ceasefire, official says

Israelis carrying Israeli flags, banners and posters of their relatives, gather at the Hostages Square, to watch the 7th round of the prisoner and hostage swap deal between Hamas and Israel on giant screens in Tel Aviv, Israel on February 22, 2025. [Mostafa Alkharouf – Anadolu Agency]

The United States has told Hamas to release ten live Israeli captives in exchange for extending the ceasefire in Gaza for another 60 days, opening the border crossings to the besieged Strip, resuming humanitarian aid and starting negotiations on the second phase of the agreement, a Palestinian source has said.

Yesterday Sky News Arabia cited a Palestinian source described as familiar with the talks as saying that Hamas is still studying its response to the proposal.

According to Israeli estimates, 25 out of 59 Israeli captives are alive.

On Wednesday, the envoy of US President Donald Trump met for “unprecedented” direct talks with Hamas officials and mediators from Egypt and Qatar, to discuss the broad outlines of the next phase of the ceasefire and prisoner swap deal.

US-Egyptian talks also focused on options for a future government in the Strip and possible candidates to lead there.

Two Egyptian sources told Reuters that the talks ended “in a positive atmosphere,” but did not elaborate on the understandings reached.

“We do not recognise any progress in the talks on the second phase,” an Israeli source said, refuting Egyptian claims.

READ: Hamas condemns Trump’s threats, says they help Israel evade commitments

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