Hamas is taking precautions so that Israel does not know the whereabouts of the hostages: Military analyst

tel aviv (Uttam Hindu News): Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has issued a statement saying that Hamas has agreed to allow the delivery of medicines to hostages in Gaza. According to a military analyst, the terrorist group is also wary that doing so could reveal the whereabouts of detainees to the Jewish State.

Speaking to IANS, former Major Jonathan Arthur of Israeli intelligence agency Mossad said: “Hamas has reluctantly agreed to deliver medicines to the hostages and they are careful that we can trace the exact location of the hostages.”

Arthur’s comments come after the PMO announced on Friday that Israel had struck a deal with Qatar to deliver vital medicines to hostages in Gaza.

“The medicine will be distributed in the next few days,” it said in a statement. It said the Red Cross would hand over life-saving medicines.

The PMO said Mossad chief David Barney led talks with Qatar on behalf of the Israeli side.

The high-level talks also included talks about Israel allowing increased quantities of medicines into the besieged territory for Gaza civilians.

The statement did not say whether progress had been made on the issue.

According to reports, Qatar had pressured Hamas to provide medicines to the hostages.

Israeli officials estimate that approximately 136 Israeli and foreign nationals are held in Gaza.

Last year, after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, around 240 people were taken captive by the terrorist group.

During the humanitarian pause (24–30 November 2023), 86 Israeli and 24 foreign hostages were released.