A concerning report from Israel Hayom has shed light on a critical obstacle in the ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

The proposed deal consists of three stages, with the first being the most crucial and detailed. This 6-week phase would involve the release of 33 “humanitarian” hostages, such as women and children. In exchange, hundreds of dangerous Arab prisoners will be released and an initial withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas in Gaza will occur.

During the second stage, all remaining living hostages will be released, along with further Israeli withdrawals. The third and final phase would focus on rebuilding Gaza and repatriating the remains of deceased hostages to their families.

However, Hamas is pushing to insert the phrase “living or dead” into the agreement, which could allow them to release fewer than 33 living hostages. In turn, Israel is taking a firm stance on the number of living hostages to be freed.

The Israeli negotiators are insisting on the release of at least 30 living hostages in the first stage. They’ve stated that if Hamas claims not to have enough humanitarian hostages, then men or soldiers should be included to reach the agreed-upon count.

With Hamas’ ambiguity surrounding the hostages’ status, anxiety is intensifying among Israel’s populace over whether all 115 are still alive, causing intense pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to make a deal.