Israel: Hamas expected to release 33 hostages in first phase of emerging deal

Hamas is expected to release 33 hostages during the first phase of an emerging ceasefire agreement being finalized by negotiators in Doha, two Israeli officials said. Israel believes that most of the 33 hostages are alive, a senior Israeli official told reporters on Monday, but the bodies of dead hostages will also likely be among those released during the initial 42-day ceasefire. Hamas and its allies still hold 94 hostages taken from Israel during the attacks of October 7, 2023, at least 34 of whom are dead, according to the Israeli government. The senior Israeli official said that the parties appear to be on the verge of an agreement and that Israel is prepared to immediately implement the deal once it has been inked