Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night convened a top-level meeting amid “some progress” in the ongoing hostage talks with Hamas, the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem announced.
The discussion included Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and members of the negotiating team, according to the PMO.
Participants met to “receive updates on the framework for the release of our hostages and to discuss future steps,” Netanyahu’s office confirmed.
Israel’s Kan News public broadcaster reported on Tuesday evening that the United States and the mediators—Qatar and Egypt—were seeking a compromise amid Hamas’s continued insistence on an end to the war.
An anonymous foreign source involved in the negotiations said that the progress could lead to a breakthrough, “but not immediately,” stressing that while there was some movement, an agreement depends on the willingness of both Jerusalem and Hamas to compromise.
Kan also cited Hamas sources who denied that any significant progress had been made. According to the sources, the United States and Doha continue to push the talks, and are the ones expressing optimism.
Speaking alongside Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe in Jerusalem earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed “there has recently been certain progress” in the talks.
“In light of past experience, I don’t want to overstate it at this point. But we are interested in reaching a deal, which will include a ceasefire. We are committed to bringing all of our hostages home, alive and dead,” declared the top diplomat.
Fifty-five hostages remain in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, 613 days after being taken hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. Jerusalem believes that at least 20 of the hostages are still alive.