What It’s About:

Discussions between Israel and mediators from Qatar and Egypt aiming to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas are set to resume, initially through remote communication. These talks come despite ongoing offensive actions in Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Why It Matters:

The negotiations hold the potential to secure the release of hostages, directly impacting the lives and well-being of those held in Gaza, as well as easing the broader regional tensions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized that the rescue and safety of the hostages are top priorities for the Israeli government.

The Details:

Israeli officials involved in these talks noted that ongoing military operations in Rafah might affect upcoming negotiations. Hamas has demanded an IDF pullout from Rafah as a precondition to resuming talks, though some claim Hamas’s main demand is to cease all hostilities first.

Prime Minister Netanyahu remains steadfast against ending the fighting early, a condition that may impact the odds of reaching an agreement. An official stated, “There are discussions with the mediators in Egypt and Qatar who are supposed to relay Israel’s answers to Hamas.”

Netanyahu’s Stance:

During a Knesset session, Netanyahu firmly ruled out claims that he has been obstructing the negotiating team’s work. He spoke about Israel’s firm commitment to rescuing the hostages, addressing concerns over a video showing female soldiers’ abduction.

“The hostages are always top of mind, and I reject with contempt any claim that I have limited the negotiating team’s mandate or turned down any of their requests,” Netanyahu explained, ensuring that he accepted all expansions of scope requested by negotiators.

Netanyahu additionally highlighted that Yahya Sinwar, a Hamas leader, remains the primary barrier to reaching a deal, not the Israeli administration. Calling for increased pressure on Hamas, he stated, “Sinwar is sitting nicely in his bunker, happy that others are doing the work for him. Hamas must be put under pressure, and we are doing that as we fight in Gaza. I will keep on fighting until we win.”

Family Members’ Response:

During Netanyahu’s speech, families of the hostages publicly appealed for the immediate release of their loved ones by holding up posters and voicing their demands, interrupting the Prime Minister.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.