Israel Denies Qatari Report That Hamas Provided Hostage Release List

Latest Developments

• Reports of Hamas Presenting Hostage List False: Israel denied a December 9 report that the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas had provided a list of Israeli hostages seized during its October 7, 2023, atrocities. In a statement sent to hostage families on December 9, Israel said a report published in the London-based Qatari newspaper al-Araby al-Jadeed stating that Hamas was willing to release the listed hostages to Egyptian negotiators as part of ongoing ceasefire negotiations was “not correct.” Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a televised address that the overthrow of the Iran-backed regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria meant that Hamas’s isolation “opens another opening to making progress on a deal that will bring our hostages back.”

• Israeli Officials More Optimistic: Hostage negotiations have gained “momentum” following a truce agreed to by Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, whose cooperation in fighting Israel was part of Hamas’s plan prior to launching the war with its October 7 massacre. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said, “We can be more optimistic than before, but we are not there yet.” Reuters reported that Hamas had asked the terrorist factions in Gaza to provide it with an accounting of all hostages, dead or alive, in their custody.

• Hamas Releases Another Hostage Video: On December 7, Hamas released a video of 24-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker pleading with Israeli leaders to make a deal to free the hostages — the second such video since November 30 and presented in a style designed to increase the psychological pressure on Israeli leaders and the Israeli public alike. In a November 22 message, Hamas — which, 430 days into the war, still holds 100 Israeli hostages, including seven Americans — advised terrorist groups holding hostages to execute them if the IDF attempted hostage rescue operations.

FDD Expert Response

“Israel has crushed Hamas’s military capabilities. However, the organization is still terrorizing Israelis through psychological warfare tactics. As long as the hostages remain in Gaza, the Hamas terrorists will be able to drag out this conflict. Bringing the hostages home is the only way to remove the last bit of leverage that Hamas holds and finally end the war.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director, Israel Program & Senior Director, National Security Network

“Hamas aims for a ceasefire deal that will enable it to retain power, ensuring its survival and the possibility of regeneration. Conversely, one of Israel’s primary war goals is to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza and to prevent Hamas, along with its allies, from regaining control of the enclave. One side will need to concede and comply with the demands of the other. However, it is noteworthy that the military support Hamas received from Iran-led actors has waned significantly, which may compel the Islamist group to approve a deal on Israel’s terms.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“Hamas has committed nonstop terrorism for the past 430 days by holding Israelis hostage and tormenting their loved ones with uncertainty about their fate. Hostage videos meant to further terrorize Israelis only reinforce that Hamas is undeniably a terrorist organization. It is well past time the United Nations, other intergovernmental bodies, and all countries recognize reality: Hamas is a terrorist organization and should be dealt with accordingly.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst