Netanyahu Signals Progress in Hostage Negotiations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed families of Gaza hostages that progress toward a release deal is imminent. The deal, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aligns with U.S. efforts. Families remain cautious, especially after Hamas' October attack, while the international community works towards a ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu communicated to the families of hostages held in Gaza that a deal for their release is likely approaching, according to a statement from his office on Tuesday. 'The conditions are undoubtedly ripening. This is a good sign,' Netanyahu told the families on Monday in Washington. He is expected to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden later this week after making an address to Congress.

Efforts to reach a Gaza ceasefire deal, initially proposed by Biden in May and mediated by Egypt and Qatar, have gathered pace over the past month. On Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken remarked that negotiators were 'driving toward the goal line.' Ruby Chen, the father of dual U.S.-Israeli citizen Itai Chen, a soldier whose body is held in Gaza, was among those who met with Netanyahu.

'He did say that conditions were ripening, but I'm taking that with a pinch of salt,' Chen told Israeli Army Radio. He expressed hope that Biden, who has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate in the upcoming election, would increase pressure on Netanyahu to finalize the deal.

The Islamist militant group Hamas entered Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and capturing around 250 hostages, as reported by Israeli authorities. Hamas and other militants currently hold about 120 hostages, with around a third declared dead in absentia by Israeli officials. The retaliatory offensive by Israel has resulted in over 39,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities in the Hamas-controlled territory.

More than 105 hostages were released in a truce in November, in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

(With inputs from agencies.)