Netanyahu Expresses Willingness to Negotiate Release of Gaza Hostages Amid Protests
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts commitment to negotiations despite public dissent and military actions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Sunday that his government is actively engaged in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, refuting claims from both Hamas and domestic protesters that little is being done.
During a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated, 'We are willing.
We are negotiating under fire,' and noted that military pressure has contributed to what he described as 'cracks beginning to appear' in Hamas's demands.
Netanyahu described the recent escalation of military pressure as two-pronged, aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities while creating favorable conditions for the hostage release.
He also mentioned that the Israeli security cabinet decided to further increase military pressure on Hamas to optimize hostage release opportunities.
Protests erupted across Israel over the weekend, with tens of thousands gathering in Tel Aviv to demand the return of the hostages.
Among the demonstrators was Einav Zangauker, who publicly criticized Netanyahu's approach, alleging that the Prime Minister's actions during military strikes jeopardized the lives of hostages, specifically her son, Matan Zangauker.
Since the onset of hostilities in October 2023, a total of 251 hostages were taken by Hamas, with 58 still believed to be in Gaza, alongside reports from the Israeli military indicating that 34 of the 58 are presumed dead.
Amidst growing domestic and international pressure, Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas must disarm as a prerequisite to any further negotiations.
He added that leaders of Hamas would be permitted to leave Gaza under this condition, and that Israel is open to discussing the final stages of a potential ceasefire deal.
On the mediation front, efforts are ongoing from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to facilitate both a ceasefire and the liberation of hostages.
On Saturday, Hamas responded positively to a proposal from Egypt and Qatar to release five living Israeli hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire and released a video of a hostage appealing for his freedom.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya confirmed the group's acceptance of this proposal, which he indicated was based on earlier communications with the mediators.
Netanyahu’s statements came as he confirmed that the Israeli government received the ceasefire proposal from mediators and subsequently submitted a counter-proposal.
The specifics of this counterproposal remain undisclosed, but it has been reported that it involves the release of ten hostages out of 24 still held.
Additionally, Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Hungary shortly, despite facing an international arrest warrant related to alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has publicly supported since the warrant was issued.
Separately, the Palestine Red Crescent Society indicated that the bodies of 14 rescuers had been discovered in Rafah, including a UN employee, following allegations of fire directed at ambulances.
Reports confirmed that three rescue team members and one paramedic remain unaccounted for.
Israeli military officials acknowledged that they fired on ambulances, suggesting they were deemed 'suspicious'.
The resurgence of hostilities has revived concerns over humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where civilian casualties have mounted amid ongoing military operations.
The escalation of violence and the humanitarian plight have drawn international scrutiny, with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a cessation of hostilities and for both humanitarian support and stability in the region.
During a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu stated, 'We are willing.
We are negotiating under fire,' and noted that military pressure has contributed to what he described as 'cracks beginning to appear' in Hamas's demands.
Netanyahu described the recent escalation of military pressure as two-pronged, aimed at dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities while creating favorable conditions for the hostage release.
He also mentioned that the Israeli security cabinet decided to further increase military pressure on Hamas to optimize hostage release opportunities.
Protests erupted across Israel over the weekend, with tens of thousands gathering in Tel Aviv to demand the return of the hostages.
Among the demonstrators was Einav Zangauker, who publicly criticized Netanyahu's approach, alleging that the Prime Minister's actions during military strikes jeopardized the lives of hostages, specifically her son, Matan Zangauker.
Since the onset of hostilities in October 2023, a total of 251 hostages were taken by Hamas, with 58 still believed to be in Gaza, alongside reports from the Israeli military indicating that 34 of the 58 are presumed dead.
Amidst growing domestic and international pressure, Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas must disarm as a prerequisite to any further negotiations.
He added that leaders of Hamas would be permitted to leave Gaza under this condition, and that Israel is open to discussing the final stages of a potential ceasefire deal.
On the mediation front, efforts are ongoing from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to facilitate both a ceasefire and the liberation of hostages.
On Saturday, Hamas responded positively to a proposal from Egypt and Qatar to release five living Israeli hostages in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire and released a video of a hostage appealing for his freedom.
Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya confirmed the group's acceptance of this proposal, which he indicated was based on earlier communications with the mediators.
Netanyahu’s statements came as he confirmed that the Israeli government received the ceasefire proposal from mediators and subsequently submitted a counter-proposal.
The specifics of this counterproposal remain undisclosed, but it has been reported that it involves the release of ten hostages out of 24 still held.
Additionally, Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Hungary shortly, despite facing an international arrest warrant related to alleged war crimes in Gaza, which Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has publicly supported since the warrant was issued.
Separately, the Palestine Red Crescent Society indicated that the bodies of 14 rescuers had been discovered in Rafah, including a UN employee, following allegations of fire directed at ambulances.
Reports confirmed that three rescue team members and one paramedic remain unaccounted for.
Israeli military officials acknowledged that they fired on ambulances, suggesting they were deemed 'suspicious'.
The resurgence of hostilities has revived concerns over humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where civilian casualties have mounted amid ongoing military operations.
The escalation of violence and the humanitarian plight have drawn international scrutiny, with leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a cessation of hostilities and for both humanitarian support and stability in the region.
