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In a high-stakes move amid escalating tensions and reported progress in Israel-Hamas negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with several families of Israelis held hostage in Gaza on Tuesday evening.
The meeting comes as pressure mounts for a new hostage release deal following recent clashes and accidental deaths of three hostages who escaped captivity.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding the number of families present at the Tel Aviv meeting, with some expressing anger over the exclusion of particular families.
Netanyahu’s hostage envoy, Gal Hirsch, determined the attendees, fueling controversy and accusations that the prime minister selectively chose families for the discussion.
Previous meetings between hostage families and Netanyahu were described as tense, with attendees expressing frustration and even shouting accusations at the prime minister.
Recordings from earlier encounters captured heated moments, with some urging Netanyahu to resign.
The meeting, a response to heightened demands, particularly after the accidental killing of three hostages by the IDF, reflects the urgency surrounding the situation.
Israeli leaders have emphasized the necessity of strong military pressure on Hamas, but families are increasingly skeptical, calling for a cessation of hostilities and negotiations for the release of over 100 hostages believed to be held by Hamas and other terror groups in Gaza.
Danny Elgarat, whose brother Yitzhak is held by Hamas, criticized the decision to allow only a select few families to meet with Netanyahu, stating, “Who is he hearing?” Elgarat accused Netanyahu of adopting Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s methods by meeting with families in batches.
The accidental killings, coupled with the growing list of confirmed hostage deaths, intensified anxiety among Israeli families, leading some to call for a halt to the fighting and a shift toward negotiations.
At a Tel Aviv rally organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Noam Perry, the daughter of hostage Haim Perry, urged the government to stop the fight and begin negotiations.
Netanyahu, however, reiterated that advancing the military offensive remains crucial to securing a new hostage deal.
He highlighted ongoing efforts on multiple fronts, emphasizing the complexity of the situation and the need for a comprehensive approach.
Hamas leaders have publicly stated that they will only consider freeing hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire. Recent reports, however, suggest that talks for another truce to release more hostages may be making progress.
Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was set to visit Egypt for discussions on a ceasefire and a potential hostage deal.
An Axios report indicated that Israel might be willing to agree to a week-long truce as part of a deal for 40 hostages.
The terms of the agreement could include negotiations on the duration of the ceasefire, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and humanitarian considerations.
While Israel expresses willingness to go a long way to secure the hostages’ release, a senior Israeli official cautioned that the deal’s success is uncertain, with the ball currently in the court of the mediators.
Monday night saw Hamas release a new propaganda video featuring three Israeli hostages.
The IDF labeled the video as “atrocious terror,” emphasizing the cruelty of Hamas against elderly civilians. Another video from the Islamic Jihad terror group showcased two additional hostages.
As the complex negotiations and military operations unfold, the region remains on edge, awaiting developments in the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and de-escalate the situation.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members