JERUSALEM: Israel is now extra optimistic about a possible hostage deal in Gaza, Overseas Minister Gideon Saar mentioned on Monday (Dec 9), amid experiences that Hamas had requested for lists of all hostages nonetheless held by militant teams within the Palestinian enclave.
He mentioned oblique negotiations have been underway concerning the return of about 100 hostages and that, whereas it was nonetheless too early to make sure, prospects had improved.
“We will be extra optimistic than earlier than however we’re not there but. I hope we can be there,” Saar instructed a press convention in Jerusalem, reiterating Israel’s place that the hostages nonetheless held in Gaza should be returned earlier than Israel agrees an finish to the preventing.
“There is not going to be a ceasefire in Gaza with out a hostage deal,” he mentioned.
A Palestinian official with information of the mediation effort mentioned Hamas had requested different factions in Gaza to start out itemizing the names of Israeli and international hostages of their custody, whether or not useless or alive.
The official gave no additional particulars of the mediation effort however mentioned the mediators, backed by america, had stepped up contacts with Israel and Hamas.
Hamas officers declined rapid remark.
An official of a militant group allied with Hamas expressed hope that talks might result in a deal.
Hamas gunmen took over 250 hostages again to Gaza after their assault on Israel on Oct 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 individuals, in response to Israeli tallies. Over 44,700 Palestinians have been killed within the Israeli offensive on Gaza that adopted, Gaza well being authorities say.
Some hostage households voiced cautious optimism after assembly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Netanyahu instructed them the time had come for a hostage deal, the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board mentioned.
All sides accuses the opposite of standing in the way in which of a deal however Saar mentioned Hamas’ earlier place “might need modified throughout latest occasions”.
“So if each events are thinking about an settlement, there’s a higher likelihood it will likely be achieved,” he mentioned.
Israeli strikes throughout Gaza continued in a single day and on Monday, medics mentioned. One strike killed a minimum of 4 individuals close to Jabalia camp on the northern fringe of the enclave, they mentioned.
In Rafah, close to the southern Gaza border with Egypt, well being officers mentioned rescue groups have recovered a minimum of 11 our bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in a single day and on Monday.
Residents of Al-Maghazi camp within the central Gaza Strip mentioned some Israeli tanks pushed into the japanese space of the camp early on Monday, forcing some residents to flee their properties.
