How do you negotiate a hostage release in the Israel-Hamas conflict?

More than 200 people were taken hostage by Hamas militants when the group staged a surprise attack on Israel on October 7th. Those taken hostage included Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as foreigners caught in the attack.

Five of those being held captive have been freed since the attack, following calls from Israel, human rights groups and the United Nations for their immediate release. But who is managing the complex negotiations surrounding the further release of hostages, and how will the coming weeks potentially unfold?

In this episode of The Briefing, Tom Tilley speaks with Nizar Zakka, who personally experienced the ordeal of being taken hostage after being held in Iran for almost four years in 2015. Now president of Hostage Aid, he joins to explain how the process is unfolding and who is involved.

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