The Israeli Security Agency, or Shin Bet, estimates that out of 133 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza or elsewhere, only 40 are still alive, according to a report by the British newspaper "Daily Mail" on Sunday. This estimate is based on intelligence gathered after the "Al-Aqsa Flood" attacks on October 7. The newspaper quoted an Israeli security source stating that "gaining access to intelligence has become much easier than before the Hamas attack, when our access to Gaza was limited and we did not have many resources. The situation is completely different as we are there," according to the source, who believed that "Hamas is trying to keep everything very secret, and they will never release all the hostages and bodies."
Another Israeli security source told the newspaper that "negotiating is a losing issue. We cannot negotiate for bodies in exchange for the release of hundreds or thousands of other terrorists." However, the Israeli newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported last Friday that Israel had rejected twice reaching a prisoner exchange deal. Yahya Sinwar "has not changed his conditions for months. Hamas's latest proposal, which was submitted to Israel, was under the same terms. Sinwar has not intensified his demands, but is holding firm to them."
"Yedioth" also mentioned that Sinwar "desperately needed fuel, medicine, and food. He agreed to release hostages (in addition to those already released). When he saw that he lacked hostages to meet the conditions of the deal and requested changes, the Israeli side imposed a veto. This was a tragic mistake. Those who made the decision on our side did not think they were condemning the remaining hostages to six more months of hell, and possibly death."
The newspaper added that "the second opportunity was last month, at the height of Israeli control in Khan Yunis. Israel held an important bargaining chip. Hamas was willing to back down from its condition of an immediate Israeli withdrawal from the entire region, but insisted on dividing the area and allowing residents to return to the north. The Israeli army imposed a veto. Netanyahu insisted on this veto, and the possibility dissipated. The Israeli army is now ready to concede the division and allow Palestinians to return to the north, but Sinwar has returned to his original agenda."
