Israel rejects Hamas's demand to release living terrorists in exchange for hostage bodies
Israel has issued a formal response to a position paper sent by Hamas several days ago, where Israeli officials made it clear they reject Hamas's demand to release live terrorists in exchange for the bodies of hostages.
Hamas has informed mediators that it will not enter negotiations with Israel until the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves, according to two sources who spoke with The Jerusalem Post.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed partial annexation of the Gaza Strip as a potential course of action if hostage deal talks fail, during a Monday small cabinet meeting – an Israeli source confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Wednesday, 'Israel is making extraordinary efforts to secure the release of the hostages, while applying heavy pressure on Hamas in Gaza. If Hamas does not soon announce the release of the hostages, it will pay a very heavy price.'
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Thursday as part of an effort to advance negotiations for a hostage deal and to assess the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Witkoff's visit comes as Israeli officials warn that if there is no progress in the coming days on a deal to release the hostages, Israel may be forced to take further action on the ground.
Witkoff concerned over Ben-Gvir, Smotrich's political pressure possibility, reports indicate
Witkoff is worried that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich might sabotage the deal due to political pressures on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a concern shared by the American administration, according to a Ynet report.
During his visit, he may request to meet directly with them in an attempt to convince them to support the move at this critical juncture, the report added.
Sources familiar with Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations reported to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper earlier this week that the mediators are working to organize a new round of negotiations.
'The goal is to reach an agreement on the points still in dispute, as many of the issues were already resolved in the previous round of negotiations,' sources said. They also noted that the next round of talks would focus on Israel's expected response to the proposals Hamas sent to the mediators a few days ago.
The Hostage Families Forum called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to publicly declare his willingness to sign a comprehensive agreement in response to a video message Netanyahu sent to the hostage families via the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, KAN noted.
'We will continue to act responsibly, as we always have, and we will continue to strive for the return of our hostages and the defeat of Hamas,' the Prime Minister's Office said. 'This is the only way to ensure peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.'
Yonah Jeremy Bob and Liran Haroni contributed to this report.
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