Israel demands full hostage release after Hamas backs new truce
New proposal reportedly includes 60-day truce and partial hostage release as pressure mounts on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to end the war
A senior Israeli official on Tuesday said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any future Gaza deal after Hamas accepted a new truce proposal.
Mediators are awaiting an official Israeli response to the plan, a day after Hamas signalled its readiness for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending nearly two years of war.
Mediator Qatar expressed guarded optimism for the new proposal, noting that it was “almost identical” to an earlier version agreed to by Israel.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Israeli official said the government’s stance had not changed and demanded the release of all hostages in any deal.
The two foes have held on-and-off indirect negotiations throughout the war, resulting in two short truces during which Israeli hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, but they have ultimately failed to broker a lasting ceasefire.
Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have mediated the frequent rounds of shuttle diplomacy.