Netanyahu Rejects New Negotiations With Hamas Regarding Hostage Release

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the Israeli government's proposal to start new negotiations with the Palestinian Hamas group to release Israelis detained in the Gaza Strip, according to local media.

Israel's Channel 13 media reported an unnamed Israeli minister outlined the general framework of the deal discussed in recent days aimed at ensuring the release of Israeli prisoners detained by Hamas.

The negotiations are expected to continue through an unnamed mediator, but Netanyahu reportedly rejected the move.

The decision to reject the proposal, as reported by the news channel, was carried out without coordinating with war cabinet ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Thursday, January 18, Channel 13 also reported a statement from unnamed political officials claiming that Netanyahu made it difficult to reach an agreement for the release of the hostages.

Meanwhile, regarding negotiations, Netanyahu's office said the requirement requested by Hamas was to end the war that was rejected by the prime minister.

Israel claims Hamas has held 136 Israelis hostage in Gaza since October 7, while Hamas has demanded a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons in exchange for the release of Israelis held hostage.

Israeli soldiers have been fighting a devastating war in Gaza since October 7, which killed 24,448 people and injured 61,504 people.

The conflict has forced more than 85 percent of the population in the Gaza Strip or about 1.9 million people to flee, according to Palestinian and UN authorities.