Impossible to reach a deal without Hamas delivering list of living hostages, Israeli official says

Officials suspect that Mohammed Sinwar is refusing to hand over the list, stifling a breakthrough in negotiations.

By AMICHAI STEIN DECEMBER 24, 2024 21:31

A rally calling for the release of the Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza, at the Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, December 14, 2024 (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

"Hamas has yet to deliver the list of hostages who are alive – without it, it is impossible to reach a deal," an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

The official added that although the mediators are pressing hard on Hamas to deliver the list, it seems that Mohammed Sinwar, one of the most prominent figures of Hamas in Gaza and the brother of Yahya Sinwar, is refusing to hand over the list.

Mohammed Sinwar is believed to have taken over as leader of Hamas from his brother since Yahya Sinwar was killed by IDF personnel on October 16, 2024.

"It's still possible to continue talking and advancing some issues without the list, but it will be impossible to reach a breakthrough without it," the Israeli official told the Post.

The PMO issued a statement that a working-group delegation is returning from Qatar after more than a week.

Illustrative image of Mossad director David Barnea and Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. (credit: Canva, FLASH90, REUTERS, REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/Pool)

"It was a long negotiation, and now there will be consultations," the Israeli official told the Post. "There has been some advance in the talks, but it doesn't seem a deal is going to be reached soon."

Talks not breaking down

A senior Israeli official cited in a Walla report clarified that the recall of the team "is not due to a breakdown in negotiations."

On Sunday, the security cabinet met for a discussion in the North, and like last week, the ministers were not updated on the talks for the deal as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempt to limit as much as possible those who know what is really happening in the closed rooms.

On Saturday, a Palestinian official participating in the talks told the BBC that the hostage deal and ceasefire negotiations are 90% complete.

Amir Bohbot and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.