Hamas Agrees To New Hostage Talks After Israel Pummels Terror Group In New Offensive

[ad_1] Negotiations over hostages held by Hamas started once more on Saturday between the fear group and Israel.

Talks renewed after a brand new offensive by the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) within the Gaza Strip. Hamas official Taher al-Nono stated that the most recent negotiations have begun with out “preconditions,” in response to Reuters .

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed negotiators to remain in Qatar. An Israeli official stated the prime minister has stored contact with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff “in an effort to dissuade Hamas from its refusal and to advance a deal for the discharge of our hostages,” in response to The Occasions Of Israel .

Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz urged that the brand new spherical of talks is due to Israel’s newest offensive, which was introduced on Saturday. Katz stated that the fear group’s present stance on negotiations “is in distinction to the uncooperative place they'd taken up till this second,” in response to The Jerusalem Submit .

Hamas final launched a hostage on Might 12. The phobia group launched the final residing American citizen, Edan Alexander, from captivity after Alexander spent greater than 18 months held hostage.

Israeli officers imagine that the hostage group has as many as 23 hostages nonetheless alive. All hostages have been held by the fear group since October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists and Palestinians rushed throughout the border to Israel and attacked settlements and took a whole lot captive.

Israel renewed its army marketing campaign in opposition to Hamas on Saturday with airstrikes. It's unknown what number of have been killed within the strikes. Hamas officers have claimed that greater than 150 have died within the airstrikes, although the numbers are unreliable and Gaza Well being Ministry knowledge is suspected of being inflated and doctored for propaganda functions.

Katz stated that the brand new offensive, dubbed Operation Gideon Chariots, is being led with “nice power,” in response to CBS Information .

“The heroism of IDF troopers, the unity of the individuals and the willpower of the political echelon improve the prospect of the return of the hostages – because it was then and as it's now,” stated Katz.

IDF spokesman Col. Avichai Adraee stated the Israeli army is “increasing and growing the bombing and strain on Hamas all through the Strip – from north to south, above and beneath floor, and even outdoors the Strip.”

The brand new offensive won't cease till Israel has achieved its goals of rescuing the hostages or having them returned, and till Hamas has been dismantled, army officers stated.