Israeli Prime Minister directs negotiators to continue efforts to release the hostages
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday instructed his negotiating team to continue efforts to secure the release of hostages still being held in Gaza.
“The Prime Minister has issued directives to continue taking steps to move forward with the release of our hostages,” his office said in a statement, adding that he had conducted an assessment of the issue with the negotiating team and security establishment leaders.
In turn, a senior Hamas leader confirmed to Agence France-Presse on Wednesday that Hamas is still preparing its response to an Israeli proposal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.
Mahmoud Mardawi said, “The movement’s response is still being prepared, and we stress that there is no room for any partial deal”.
He added, “The resistance’s weapons won’t be subject to any negotiations and are at the heart of the Palestinian consensus among the factions”.
