[karah rucker]

AS NEGOTIATORS CONTINUE TO TRY TO FINALIZE A DEAL BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS for a ceasefire and hostage release –  A SENIOR LEADER FOR HAMAS SAYS they don’t know HOW MANY OF THE HOSTAGES ARE STILL ALIVE.

There is said to to be 120 hostages who have not returned home since the initial attack on october 7th by the terrorist group.

Israel believes more than 70 of the 120 hostages are still alive.

IN AN INTERVIEW THAT AIRED THURSDAY WITH CNN IN BEIRUT  – HAMAS SPOKESMAN OSAMA HAMDAN (HAHM-DEN) WAS ASKED ABOUT THE FATE OF THE HOSTAGES.

CNN REPORTER: How many of those 120 are still alive?

HAMDAN: I don’t have any idea about that. No one has any idea about this.   

[karah rucker]

HAMDAN SAYING THE LATEST CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL ANNOUNCED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN LAST WEEK AND BACKED BY THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL WAS A “POSITIVE STEP” BUT DID NOT MEET HAMAS’ DEMANDS TO END THE WAR.

“We need a clear position from Israel, to accept a cease-fire, a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and let the Palestinians determine their future by themselves.”

THE LATEST CEASE-FIRE PLAN CALLED FOR THE RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES AND THE FULL WITHDRAWAL OF ISRAELI TROOPS IN THREE PHASES.

EARLIER THIS WEEK – SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN CALLED SOME OF HAMAS’ PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CEASE-FIRE PLAN “UNACCEPTABLE.”