Amid ongoing heavy Israeli strikes in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated his openness to a deal with Hamas to “end the fighting” if three specific demands are fulfilled. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed that the hostage negotiation team based in Doha is exploring “every possibility” to reach an agreement, including proposals from US envoy Steve Witkoff, AFP reported.
“Even at this very moment, the negotiation team in Doha is working to exhaust every possibility for a deal — whether according to the Witkoff framework or as part of ending the fighting, which would include the release of all the hostages, the exile of Hamas terrorists, and the disarmament of the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, as per AFP.
Hostage Situation and Negotiation Status
Israel has reported that 58 hostages remain captive under Hamas, with about 23 confirmed alive. Hamas insists it will release hostages only if Israel agrees to a ceasefire.
Negotiations for a truce continue in Doha, Qatar, but no significant breakthrough has occurred so far. Israel announced it would delay launching a fresh offensive until after US President Donald Trump’s regional visit to allow for ceasefire efforts. However, Trump did not visit Israel during his trip, which ended on Friday.
Renewed Strikes and Casualties
Recent Israeli airstrikes killed at least 103 people overnight into Sunday in Gaza, leading to the closure of the main hospital in northern Gaza, AP reported. Israel’s new offensive aims to pressure Hamas to accept a temporary ceasefire on Israeli terms—focused on freeing Israeli hostages but not necessarily ending the conflict.
Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a clear path toward ending the war as prerequisites for any ceasefire agreement.
