US envoy Boehler sees better chance for hostage release in Gaza
TEL AVIV (Reuters) - U.S. special envoy Adam Boehler said on Tuesday there was a better chance of securing the release of the remaining 58 hostages held in Gaza following the release of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander by Hamas a day earlier.
Boehler spoke in Tel Aviv where he and Steve Witkoff, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, met families of hostages for almost two hours. Both then traveled to Doha to join talks on a possible ceasefire in Gaza.
"They're optimistic, and we've left with some optimism to hear that they have a plan that they hope to implement in the near future," said Udi Goren, the cousin of Tal Haimi who was abducted and later confirmed dead. His body is still being held in Gaza.
Repeated rounds of talks to agree a ceasefire have failed as both Hamas and Israel refuse to yield on core demands.
Israel is insisting on the return of all 58 hostages held in Gaza as well as the disarming of Hamas and the dismantling of its military and governing capabilities as a condition for peace.
Hamas demands a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza as well as a release of prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails.
The Hostages Families Forum, which represents many families of those held in Gaza, said that during the meeting, Witkoff expressed a preference for a diplomatic resolution and that he believed there was a genuine chance for progress in Doha.
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