Israel Wants To Continue Negotiations To End War In Gaza And Free Hostage

PM Netanyahu (surfaced) with the Israeli army. (Source: Mayan Toaf/GPO)

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday Israel would soon resume negotiations for the release of all hostages detained in Gaza and end a war that has lasted nearly two years, but with conditions that Israel can accept.

"At the same time, I have issued instructions to immediately start negotiations for the release of all of our hostages and end the war with acceptable conditions by Israel," he said.

"We are in the decision-making stage," he added.

This is Netanyahu's first response to a temporary ceasefire proposal submitted by Egypt and Qatar that Hamas received on Monday.

Israel will send negotiators to negotiations once its location is set, an Israeli official said.

Speaking to soldiers near Israel's border with Gaza, Netanyahu said he still insisted on agreeing to plans to defeat Hamas and seize Gaza City, a densely populated center in the heart of the Palestinian enclave.

Thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes as Israeli tanks have approached Gaza City for the past 10 days.

Israel's plans to seize Gaza City have been approved this month by the security cabinet, chaired by Netanyahu, although many of Israel's closest allies have urged the government to reconsider the plan.

His latest statement underscores the Israeli government's view that any agreement would guarantee the release of all 50 hostages arrested in Israel in October 2023 and still held by militants in Gaza. Israeli officials believe about 20 people are still alive.

Proposals have been put forward calling for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of 10 live hostages who were carried out in Gaza by Hamas militants and 18 bodies. In return, Israel will release about 200 Palestinian prisoners who have long been held back by Israel.

After the temporary ceasefire begins, the proposal is for Hamas and Israel to start negotiations on a permanent ceasefire that will include returning the remaining hostages.