Early Monday, Israel and Hamas reportedly reached a breakthrough in their ceasefire negotiations that could finally lead to a cessation in hostilities between the two bitter enemies and the release of remaining hostages after near a year-and-a-half of war.
A final deal has not yet been agreed upon, however, with reports indicating that the talks held over the next 24 hours in the Arab nation of Qatar will be vital to the two parties ironing out a deal that they can both agree upon.
Envoys of both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have been in attendance in the Israeli/Hamas talks in Qatar.
One of the stumbling blocks in negotiations involves the number of hostages that Hamas reported has that they would be willing to release, and how many of them may or may not still be among the living; Hamas is also expecting a number of its own terrorists that are being held in Israel's jails to be released as part of the deal.
According to reports, Hamas is currently holding at least 100 hostages in Gaza - with seven Americans among that number - that were taken following the terrorist attack upon Israel that took place on October 7, 2023, an event that sparked war between the two that has raged ever since.
It is currently unknown how many of Hamas' Israeli and American hostages are still alive, but it is believed that at least half of them may be dead at this point in time.
If a deal to release the hostages is not reached by Trump’s January 20 inauguration date, the incoming president has vowed to Hamas that there would be "hell to pay."