Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Barrack: We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity building peace and prosperity with their neighbors
US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa supported by the US have agreed to a ceasefire embraced by Türkiye, Jordan, and their neighbors
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: We carried out a top-tier operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Lydd with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile
Israeli media: Israelis in the Gush Dan area and al-Quds were asked to enter shelters immediately
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and occupied al-Quds after a missile was launched from Yemen
Sheikh Qassem: We are ready to defend ourselves if 'Israel' attacks us in a way that we believe calls for us to defend ourselves
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" will never be handed over our weapons
Sheikh Qassem: He who refuses so and accepts humiliation, that is their own business, but for us, we will not accept humiliation. We have made great sacrifices, and our strength has helped us achieve this result
Sheikh Qassem: Be patient with the issue of exclusivity of arms with the state in the face of the great danger that will not spare Lebanon; let us speak with one voice and work for the sake of priority
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon faces three real dangers: 'Israel', ISIS tools on the eastern border, and US tyranny

'Israel's' invasion killed chance of releasing up to 50 captives: NYT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Nov 2023 00:48
4 Min Read

Negotiations facilitated by Qatar hit a roadblock following "Israel's" ground invasion of Gaza on October 27.

  • x
  • People gather with signs calling for a ceasefire during a protest for the release of Israeli captives in “Tel Aviv” on October 28, 2023. (AFP)
    Israeli settlers gather with signs calling for a ceasefire during a protest for the release of captives in “Tel Aviv” on October 28, 2023. (AFP)

Shortly before "Israel" initiated its ground invasion of Gaza, negotiations were nearing a deal in which Hamas would release approximately 50 captives in exchange for a temporary pause, a report by The New York Times revealed. The update comes from sources familiar with the negotiations, including both Arab and Western officials, as per NYT.

However, when "Israel" commenced its ground invasion in Gaza on October 27, the negotiations suddenly came to a halt, as reported by these officials who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the discussions. The negotiations were later resumed after a few days and are currently ongoing, the report added.

"Israel" had postponed its ground invasion due to several factors, including political disputes that further polarized the Israeli government, the need to ensure the US full deployment in the region, and testing the waters at the Northern Front. "Israel" ultimately proceeded with the ground offensive, believing that the Palestinian Resistance would yield under military pressure.

To date, the negotiations have primarily centered on securing the release of "civilian hostages", as indicated by these sources. The Israeli soldiers detained in Gaza may, at a later stage, become the subject of a distinct set of negotiations, potentially involving exchange for hundreds of Palestinian women and children who are held in Israeli prisons without charges.

Prospects for captives deal remain uncertain: CNN

A deal to secure the release of a significant number of captives held by Hamas in Gaza currently seems out of reach, despite active negotiations involving the United States, "Israel", Qatar, and Hamas. According to a senior US official as quoted by CNN, "Israel" is unlikely to agree to a prolonged ceasefire without a substantial number of hostages being freed.

The multi-party discussions, with Qatar playing a central mediation role, have been ongoing for weeks and have generated several proposals, including the release of approximately 10 to 15 captives in exchange for a one- or two-day ceasefire, as stated by diplomatic sources with insights into the negotiations.
 
However, as of Wednesday, this particular proposal was not being considered, as per the US official.

Related News

Arab, regional states reaffirm support for Syria sovereignty

Global condemnations flood in over Israeli airstrikes on Syria

Negotiations have also revolved around the possibility of exchanging captives for Palestinian prisoners detained by "Israel", as previously reported by CNN. This comes as Hamas already released captives merely for humanitarian grounds for nothing in return, including two American citizens. Following their successful release, US President Joe Biden disclosed that "Israel" had consented to a brief ceasefire to facilitate their release.

Other captives released also for humanitarian grounds include Yocheved Lifshitz who told the media that al-Qassam fighters were very friendly with them, took care of them, and provided them with medicine.

The Biden administration has consistently urged "Israel" to implement additional "humanitarian pauses" to facilitate the release of more captives, but the entity continues to refuse any such attempts. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that "Israel" will not agree to a ceasefire unless there is progress on the issue of captives release.

This comes as the Israeli media constantly report that the families of the Israeli captives gather in "Tel Aviv" and various parts of "Israel" raising the slogan “Shame, shame” and demanding the release of the captives in the Gaza Strip and Netanyahu's resignation considering his mishandling of the file. 

In fact, al-Qassam military spokesperson Abu Obeida said on Tuesday that the group wanted to release 12 foreign captives last week, but its efforts were obstructed by the Israeli occupation.

Abu Obeida revealed that al-Qassam Brigades were prepared to release foreign captives, though the situation on the ground and the Israeli occupation were jeopardizing their lives and obstructing the release.

Part of the ongoing confrontations between Israeli police and Israeli captives' families.#FreePalestine pic.twitter.com/Rtb48kM2fF

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 4, 2023

It is noteworthy that the military spokesperson for al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, estimated that the number of captives held by the Resistance ranged between 200 and 250 captives, or more, revealing that al-Qassam Brigades alone had 200 Israeli captives. In turn, the Secretary-General of the Islamic Jihad Movement, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, announced that the movement has 30 Israeli captives. At the same time, his deputy, Mohammad al-Hindi, confirmed that most of the captives were soldiers.

Read more: Families of Israeli captives fear, anger on the rise amid escalation

  • Egypt
  • US
  • Israeli occupation
  • Hamas
  • ground invasion
  • Gaza
  • ground operation
  • Israeli captives
  • Qatar
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Al Mayadeen: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

Exclusive: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

  • Politics
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The US Capitol, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Congress set to weaken oversight on foreign US arms sales

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll
US & Canada

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank
Palestine

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from High School hall of fame
Politics

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from high school Hall of Fame

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS