A Hamas official indicated that the group was ready to release 34 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, as part of the “first phase” of a prisoner exchange deal. However, the official acknowledged the need for additional time to verify the condition of the captives.

Hamas has approved an Israeli list of 34 hostages to be exchanged in a possible ceasefire deal, Reuters reported, citing a Hamas official.

Hamas has announced its readiness to release 34 captives as part of a ceasefire agreement with Israel, as reported by Reuters and AFP. The release will occur in the first phase of a prisoner exchange deal, which will include women, children, elderly individuals, and those in poor health.

A senior Hamas official has shared with the BBC a list of 34 hostages that the Palestinian group says it is willing to release in the first stage of a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel. It is unclear how many hostages remain alive.

Palestinian militant group Hamas has approved a list of 34 hostages presented by Israel to be exchanged in a possible ceasefire deal, a group official told Reuters on Sunday. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter,