Israel’s Netanyahu says significant progress made in talks to release hostages
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Mr Benjamin Netanyahu has faced pressure from within his right-wing coalition to continue Israel's war against Hamas.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 10 that there had been “significant progress” in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, but that it was “too soon” to raise hopes that a deal would be reached.
Despite efforts by the US, Egypt and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal.
Mr Netanyahu, who has come under pressure from within his right-wing coalition to continue the war and block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, said in a video statement shared by his office that there had been progress, without providing details.
A source familiar with the negotiations said Washington had been giving Hamas more assurances, in the form of steps that would lead to an end to the war, but said it was US officials who were optimistic, not Israeli ones.
The source said there was pressure from Washington to have a deal done as soon as possible.
“There is a deal on the table. Hamas must stop acting recklessly and accept it,” a US State Department official said when asked whether the US agreed with Mr Netanyahu’s statement on the progress in talks.
“President Trump has made clear the consequences Hamas will face if it continues to hold the hostages, including the bodies of two Americans,” the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Two Hamas sources told Reuters they had no knowledge of any new ceasefire offers.
Israel’s leadership has said it would wage war until the remaining 55 hostages held in Gaza are freed and when Hamas, whose October 2023 attack
Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, has said it would no longer govern after the war if a Palestinian, non-partisan technocratic committee took over, but it has refused to disarm.
The US has proposed a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israel said it would abide by the terms but Hamas has sought amendments.
The militants have said they would release all hostages in exchange for a permanent end to the war.
The war in Gaza has raged since Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people in Israel in the October 2023 attack and took 251 hostages back to the enclave, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. REUTERS
