Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he holds a news conference at the Prime Minister s office in Jerusalem. AP
Friday’s announcement marks yet another attempt to reach a deal with the militant group that would pause Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in exchange for the release of Israeli captives. Several rounds of negotiations have faltered.
Netanyahu says he has spoken with Israel’s lead negotiators and authorised Israeli delegations to join talks in Qatar and Egypt over the coming days.
With the war now grinding through a sixth month, the United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent months trying to negotiate another cease-fire and captive release. But those efforts appear to have stalled.
Hamas has previously proposed a phased process in which it would release all the remaining captives in exchange for an end to the war and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the opening of its borders for aid and reconstruction, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants serving life sentences.
Netanyahu has called the demands delusional and vowed to resume Israel’s offensive after any captive release and keep fighting until the militant group is destroyed.
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