Hamas Reports Over 10 Israeli Soldiers Killed in Northern Gaza within 72 Hours
Click to start listening
Gaza, Jan 13 (NationPress) The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, asserted on Monday that they have eliminated more than 10 Israeli soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip over the past 72 hours.
Following over 100 days of what they describe as "comprehensive destruction and genocide" by the Israeli military, Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Brigades, stated on the social media platform Telegram that their forces are continuing to inflict significant damage.
He emphasized that the Israeli army, which "has concealed the true scale of its losses," is expected to retreat from the northern Gaza Strip, and its "only outcome" has been "destruction, devastation, and massacres against innocent civilians."
In a parallel development, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar reported on Monday that "progress" has been made in discussions in Qatar regarding a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages.
"There is progress in the negotiations to release the hostages," Sa'ar remarked during joint comments with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who is visiting the region.
"Israel is very eager to release the hostages and is actively pursuing a deal," Sa'ar added.
A key sticking point in the indirect negotiations has been the type of ceasefire. Hamas is advocating for a permanent truce, while Israel is looking for a temporary cessation, keeping the option open to resume military actions for security purposes.
The discussions in Doha are aimed at concluding over 15 months of intense conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Israeli delegation, headed by Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet domestic security agency leader Ronen Bar, arrived in Doha on Saturday for talks with US President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Another Israeli official noted on Monday that negotiators have made "significant progress" in the Qatar discussions regarding a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release agreement, although no formal agreement has yet been reached.
"The outlook appears to be positive," the official stated on the condition of anonymity, mentioning that Israel has made "concessions" in hopes of reaching an agreement and is awaiting Hamas' feedback.
If both parties concur, the specifics of the deal could be finalized "within days," according to the official.
Meanwhile, an Israeli government representative rejected media claims that Qatar has presented a "final" draft agreement to both Israel and Hamas, as reported by Israel's state-owned Kan TV.
The proposed arrangement reportedly consists of three phases, during which Hamas would release hostages in exchange for a ceasefire and the release of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons.
Israel has been executing a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip as retaliation for a Hamas attack on the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and around 250 individuals taken hostage. The health authorities in Gaza reported on Sunday that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 46,565 individuals.
