Hostage release talks progressing: Netanyahu
Last Updated on December 25, 2024 6:55 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated some progress on the hostage swap with Hamas. He made the remarks in response to questions from lawmakers at a session of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on Monday (December 23).
The Times of Israel reported this information.
The Israeli Prime Minister said, “Negotiations for the release of the hostages are progressing.” I cannot say everything here, but I can say this in parliament: We are taking significant steps at all levels.’
Netanyahu claimed that Hamas’s position on the Gaza hostage deal had changed, saying, ‘This was mainly due to three factors – the killing of Yahya Sinwar, the lack of support from Iran and Hezbollah as expected, and the ongoing military operation in Gaza.’
He added, ‘But I will say very cautiously that I am not sure how long this situation will last. The attacks will continue until all the hostages return from enemy territory.’
Israeli sources say Tel Aviv is trying to sign a two-phase ceasefire agreement with Hamas. In the first phase, Hamas will release all women, the elderly and the wounded hostages, and in the second phase, the war will end and Israeli troops will withdraw from Gaza.
Recently, the BBC reported, citing a senior Palestinian official, that negotiations between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza have reached an almost final stage. Relevant sources said that the ceasefire talks are already 90 percent complete. Although some key issues still remain to be discussed.
The report said that the continued Israeli military presence in the Philadelphia Corridor, a strategically important territory in southern Gaza along the Egyptian border, is one of the main problems. The official said that the ceasefire agreement has the possibility of creating a buffer zone a few kilometers along the Israeli border with Gaza. Israel will maintain a military presence in the area. If these issues are resolved, a three-phase ceasefire agreement could be reached within a few days.