Israel’s Netanyahu hints progress on hostage deal is imminent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced cautious optimism about reaching a new hostage deal with Hamas and securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in the coming days, Atalayar reported on July 11th via Reuters.
During an interview, Netanyahu stated: “I hope that another ten live hostages will be released from the clutches of Hamas within a few days as part of the negotiated ceasefire.”
The conflict, ignited by Hamas’ attacks on Israeli soil on October 7th, 2023, has left the region in a prolonged humanitarian and political crisis. Netanyahu revealed that of the remaining 50 hostages, “20 of them are definitely alive and about 30 are dead,” adding that current negotiations could see “half of the living and half of the dead” released soon.
Talks are underway in Doha, with Qatar, Egypt, and the United States mediating indirect discussions between Israel and Hamas. A possible 60-day ceasefire could follow the initial hostage release, aimed at opening the way for broader negotiations. Netanyahu stressed that “this situation could end tomorrow, today, if Hamas lays down its arms.”
Meanwhile, as reported by Maghrebi on July 10th via The New Arab, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz outlined plans to establish a “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah to temporarily house 600,000 Palestinians, eventually expanding to accommodate Gaza’s entire 2.1 million population. Critics have called this a “concentration camp”.
Netanyahu’s recent White House meeting with US President Donald Trump reportedly played a role in reviving the ceasefire talks. Analysts claim Trump’s pressure influenced Israel’s decision to pull back forces from parts of Gaza and approve the UN’s return to humanitarian aid deliveries.
The Israeli government remains hopeful about expanding the Abraham Accords, which would normalise ties with several Arab nations. Netanyahu reaffirmed: “Soon we will achieve peace with our Arab neighbours.”
Atalayar via Reuters, Maghrebi.org via The New Arab
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