Al-Arabiya reports Hamas will free more hostages and provide updates on remaining captives as Cairo talks continue

Hamas has agreed to increase the number of hostages it will release in an anticipated two-stage agreement, as ceasefire negotiations with international mediators reach their final stages, according to a report by Saudi state-owned Al-Arabiya on Sunday night.

The breakthrough reportedly includes a commitment by Hamas to release additional Israeli hostages and provide updated information about those still held captive in Gaza. The development follows months of indirect negotiations brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, aimed at ending hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

Sources told Al-Arabiya that the US is pushing to secure a final ceasefire agreement before the end of April, and the terms are now being formally drafted by mediators. While the release of hostages is a central component of the emerging deal, the sensitive issue of expelling Hamas’s senior leadership from Gaza has been shelved for future discussion.

On Sunday, Hamas sources confirmed to Saudi-owned Asharq News that a senior delegation, led by Khalil al-Hayya, is set to travel to Cairo to meet with high-level Egyptian and Qatari officials. These meetings are expected to continue efforts toward solidifying a ceasefire plan that aligns more closely with Israel’s requirements.

The negotiating process has been shaped by weeks of talks involving Israel, Egypt, and the US, with Washington aiming to bridge the gap between Hamas’s position and Israel’s demands. The primary focus remains the return of hostages, cessation of fighting, and facilitation of aid to Gaza’s civilian population.

Although official Israeli confirmation has not yet been issued regarding the reported agreement, expectations have been rising that an initial phase of hostage releases could soon begin, possibly in exchange for a temporary ceasefire or humanitarian pause.

The new hostage proposal is expected to unfold in two stages. While details on timing and numbers remain confidential, the inclusion of “up-to-date information” on those still held is seen as a sign that Hamas is willing to make further concessions under sustained international pressure.

The deferral of discussions around removing Hamas’s senior command structure from Gaza marks a tactical pause on one of the thorniest issues in the negotiations. Israel has long insisted that the military and political leadership of Hamas be dismantled or removed entirely, a stance Hamas fiercely resists.

Still, the renewed willingness to engage by all parties signals momentum. After months of sporadic progress and setbacks, mediators now believe they are closer than ever to sealing a partial agreement that could unlock more extensive talks in the future.

The hostage crisis began after Hamas’s 7 October 2023 attack on Israel, during which 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Since then, more than 50,000 people have died in Gaza, according to figures released by the Hamas-run health ministry.

While the humanitarian toll continues to mount, hopes for a breakthrough have been buoyed by the growing pressure from Western allies and regional stakeholders to de-escalate the conflict. The upcoming meetings in Cairo are expected to be crucial in determining whether the parties can move from outline to implementation.