Israel prepares new hostage deal with Trump’s support

"The hostages are in agony. We want to get them all out. Steve Witkoff is President Trump’s very able representative. (He) helped us get a deal that got 25 out. We’re working now on another deal, that we hope will succeed," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Netanyahu also mentioned that he speaks with the families of the hostages every day. According to him, Israel aims to give the people of Gaza the freedom to make a choice and go wherever they want.

The head of government pointed out President Trump's bold vision, which he discussed on Monday, April 7, and which involves offering Palestinians the option to migrate to countries that are willing to accept them.

Violation of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

On January 19, Israel and the Hamas group agreed to establish a ceasefire and exchange hostages.

In January and February, the parties conducted several rounds of hostage exchanges. However, in mid-March, Hamas refused to continue the exchange, and the IDF resumed military operations in the enclave.

Subsequently, Israeli forces launched a ground operation near the city of Rafah to expand the security zone.

At the end of March, Israel expressed its readiness to renew the truce in the Gaza Strip and made demands to the Palestinian militants.

Benjamin Netanyahu has faced criticism for not maintaining regular contact with the families of hostages, particularly those released during previous ceasefire agreements.

Instead, many former hostages and their families turned to President Donald Trump, urging him to broker a ceasefire deal.

In March, eight former hostages visited Trump in the Oval Office, asking for the return of the remaining hostages to Israel.