Netanyahu says chances of releasing hostages in Gaza are not high
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (photo: Getty Images)
According to The Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes that the chances of an agreement on the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza are “not high.”
Netanyahu reportedly told ministers at today's cabinet meeting that he was pessimistic about the chances of a hostage deal.
"The chances are not high," he said, emphasizing that in recent days Israel has been effectively negotiating with mediators, not Hamas.
Gaza peace talks
In May 2024, US President Joe Biden presented a peace plan to end the war in Gaza. It provides for the cessation of hostilities and the release of more than 100 Israeli hostages of Hamas. The group, for its part, agreed to Biden's proposal, but later said that Israel had added new conditions to the plan. In particular, the continued presence of the Israeli military in a number of areas of Gaza.
Today, on August 18, it became known that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has traveled to Israel for the ninth time since October 7, 2023. His visit is aimed at concluding a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the release of hostages. This comes amid two days of mediator talks in Doha, which have been called successful.
