Hamas to release 20-30 live hostages to Israel in phase one of deal, Gallant confirms

There are some 20 to 35 live hostages that would be released during the first phase of a deal, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during a closed-door conversation on the matter held on August 12, Report informs referring to The Jerusalem Post.

His words were first reported by KAN News and confirmed by The Jerusalem Post.

The number of live hostages that would be freed during that phase has been one of the key issues for Israel as it negotiates the implementation details of a three-phase hostage deal first unveiled by US President Joe Biden at the White House on May 31.

It had always been understood that some 18 to 33 hostages would be freed during the first of the deal, slated to last for six weeks. But it was unclear how many of those would be live hostages.

There are some 115 remaining hostages, out of which 76 are presumed to still be alive.

Those freed during the first phase have been characterized as “humanitarian hostages,” which would be women, children, the elderly and those who are wounded or ill.

Israel has sought to bring home as many live hostages as possible under that category by creating flexibility around the interpretation of who is considered sick or wounded, Gallant told the FADC.

"On the question of who is considered women and the elderly, there is no dispute; however, on the question of who is considered injured and sick, there is," continued Gallant. "We are working to maximize the number [of hostages].”