FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks throughout a press convention with Protection Minister Yoav Gallant and Cupboard Minister Benny Gantz within the Kirya army base in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 28, 2023. ABIR SULTAN POOL/Pool by way of REUTERS/File Photograph
CAIRO/GAZA/JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to substantiate on Saturday that new negotiations have been underway to recuperate hostages held by Hamas after a supply stated Israel’s intelligence chief met the prime minister of Qatar, a rustic mediating within the Israeli-Palestinian battle.
In a televised press convention a day after Israeli forces mistakenly killed three of greater than 100 hostages held by Hamas, Netanyahu known as the battle an existential warfare that have to be fought till victory, regardless of stress and prices, and stated Gaza could be demilitarized and beneath Israeli safety management.
He stated Israel’s offensive in Gaza had helped clinch a partial hostage-release deal in November and vowed to take care of intense army stress on Hamas, the militant group that runs Gaza and that he has vowed to destroy.
“The instruction I’m giving the negotiating group is based on this stress, with out which we have now nothing,” he stated.
READ: Israeli hostages killed in Gaza have been holding white flag – official
Netanyahu spoke after the top of Israel’s Mossad spy company, David Barnea, met Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Europe late on Friday, in accordance with a supply with data of the matter, and a focus turned to a attainable new Gaza truce and a prisoner and hostage deal.
Netanyahu sidestepped a query concerning the assembly, however confirmed he had given directions to the negotiating group.
“We’ve got critical criticisms of Qatar … however proper now we are attempting to finish the restoration of our hostages,” he stated, alluding to the gas-rich Gulf state’s ties to Hamas and Israel’s arch-foe Iran.
A Hamas assertion stated the group “affirms its place to not open any negotiations to change prisoners except the aggression towards our individuals stops as soon as and for all,” including: “The motion communicated this place to all mediators.”
READ: Explainer: What’s the Israel-Palestinian battle about and the way did it begin?
Israel bombarded targets throughout Gaza on Saturday, however two Egyptian safety sources stated Israeli officers now appeared extra keen to work in direction of a ceasefire and an change of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Israel’s counterattack on Gaza – after a shock cross-border assault on Oct. 7 through which Hamas militants killed 1,200 individuals and captured 240 hostages – has killed near 19,000 individuals, in accordance with Gaza well being authorities. 1000’s extra are feared buried beneath rubble.
An Israeli army official stated the three hostages killed had been holding a white flag, in accordance with an preliminary inquiry. Their deaths have put elevated stress on Netanyahu to discover a method to safe the discharge of these held.
In a publish on social media platform X (previously Twitter), Israeli authorities spokesman Eylon Levy stated that one other hostage, 27-year-old Inbar Haiman, 27, “has been murdered in Hamas captivity.” The publish gave no extra particulars.
READ: Netanyahu says Gaza warfare entered new stage: It is going to be ‘lengthy, tough’
As Netanyahu spoke, a number of hundred individuals staged a protest in Tel Aviv, with some holding placards, together with one saying “get them out of hell.” A speaker shouted: “Deliver them residence now!”
The assembly in Europe was apparently the primary between senior officers from Israel and Qatar, which has been performing as a mediator, for the reason that collapse of a seven-day ceasefire in late November.
Fight has intensified previously two weeks for the reason that truce, which had allowed dozens of Israeli hostages held in Gaza to be launched in change for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
Israeli targets throughout Gaza on Saturday included a crowded YMCA constructing, and Palestinian well being officers reported dozens killed or wounded in assaults, regardless of a renewed US name to scale down the marketing campaign and give attention to Hamas leaders.
The YMCA has been sheltering lots of of displaced individuals.