Netanyahu hints at hostage deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed cautious hope for a possible release of further hostages from the hands of the Islamist Hamas. When asked whether such an agreement could be reached, Netanyahu told the US television station NBC on Sunday: "It could be, but I think the less I say about it, the greater the likelihood that it will come about."
If this succeeds, it will only be the result of military pressure, Netanyahu emphasized. "That is the only thing that could lead to an agreement." Only with the Israeli military's ground offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip had there been any movement in the negotiations. "We will talk about it when the time comes and announce it when it is achieved."
NBC and other US media outlets reported, citing government sources, that there were discussions that Hamas could release around 80 women and children in return for Palestinian women and teenagers detained in Israel. There was no official confirmation of this. Netanyahu also did not go into any details of a potential deal.
Biden backs deal
US President Joe Biden's National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, told ABC that negotiations were underway involving Qatar and that the US government was actively involved. "An attempt is being made to reach an agreement that includes the release of hostages," Sullivan said. Biden would not rest until such an agreement was reached.
However, Sullivan emphasized: "I have to be careful what I say publicly about this because it is obviously a delicate and sensitive negotiation." The US government does not have exact numbers of hostages. There is only a number of missing persons. However, it is unclear how many of them are still alive. On the US side, nine people with American citizenship and one person with a permanent US residence permit are missing.
In the devastating attack by Hamas and other groups on Israel at the beginning of October, more than 200 people were forcibly abducted. Only a few have been released so far. According to Israel, Hamas is still holding 239 people hostage, including women, children and the elderly.
Source: www.dpa.com
