Hamas agrees to release ten hostages: Netanyahu warns that neither Trump nor he will accept a deal in Gaza
The Palestinian group Hamas announced Wednesday its willingness to release ten Israeli hostages as a sign of "flexibility" and "willingness" amid talks to negotiate a new truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip, a dialogue being held indirectly in Doha with the mediation of Qatar.
A billboard with portraits of the Israeli hostages. Photo: AFP
Hamas and the Israeli government have been negotiating for four days over a truce proposal devised by the United States and announced more than a week ago by President Donald Trump, but have so far reached no significant agreements.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Monday to discuss with the Republican president a possible 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip , which should serve to negotiate a definitive end to the conflict.
The Israeli leader also met with Democratic and Republican senators in the US capital and indicated that his goal will be to "stop Gaza from posing a threat" and secure the return of the hostages.
Therefore, Netanyahu warned that neither Trump nor he are willing to accept a deal in Gaza "at any price."
"To achieve this common goal, we have a joint strategy. We not only have a common strategy, but also common tactics. This doesn't mean pressure or coercion, but full coordination. President Trump wants a deal, but not at any price. I want a deal, but not at any price ," Netanyahu maintained.
A Palestinian woman mourns a relative killed in an Israeli attack outside Al Shifa Hospital. Photo: AFP
Netanyahu stressed that his country has "security requirements" and emphasized that neither side is seeking the forced departure of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.
"If people want to leave Gaza, they should have the right to do so and not be held at gunpoint by Hamas. (...) It's called freedom of choice. Nothing more than that, without coercion or forced departure," he said.
The initial text of the US proposal calls for a 60-day truce in the Israeli offensive, during which Hamas would release 10 live hostages and return 18 dead hostages remaining in Gaza, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Hamas stated in the statement that the main points of the agreement remain "under negotiation," such as the delivery of humanitarian aid and the presence of Israeli troops in the Strip.
"The movement's leaders continue their responsible and intensive efforts to ensure the success of the current round of negotiations, seeking to reach a comprehensive agreement that ends the aggression, ensures the free and safe entry of humanitarian aid, and alleviates the worsening suffering in the Gaza Strip," he added.
A Red Cross representative (R) speaks with a Palestinian Hamas fighter. Photo: EFE
Last Tuesday, an Egyptian source close to the negotiations assured Efe that the indirect talks are progressing at a "slow pace" due to the "significant divergence" in the positions of both sides. Egypt, along with Qatar and the United States, is mediating between Hamas and Israel.
*With information from Efe and AFP .
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