Israel demands the return of its relatives. Tel Aviv again demands deal with Hamas to free hostages. Meanwhile, mediators from the US, Egypt and Qatar have completed two days of talks in Doha. There is a chance that they will reach an agreement.
Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza held a weekly protest. They are demanding that the government make a deal to free them.
Holding photographs of the people held by the militants in their hands at the so-called Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, they called on the government to finally make a deal and return more than 100 captives.
“I hear the top security officials telling us that Hamas has been eliminated, but it is time for a deal. If there is no deal, a raging war will begin. It is easy to enter, but very difficult to exit,” said Eli Albag, the father of one of the hostages.
Meanwhile, the international community continues to try to broker a ceasefire to end the more than 10-month war between Israel and Hamas.
Hamas-Israel Talks
Representatives from the United States, Egypt and Qatar concluded two days of talks in Doha, expressing hope that an agreement can be reached.
The mediators said in a joint statement that they had presented a proposal to bridge the differences between Israel and Hamas. They hope to work out the details of a possible deal next week in Cairo.
Both sides have expressed interest in a phased ceasefire proposed by US President Joe Biden on May 31.
Biden said on Friday that he was optimistic that an agreement could be reached, adding that “we are closer than ever.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Israeli negotiators had expressed “cautious optimism.”
However, the two sides remain divided over some of the terms and details of the agreement. Hamas said on Saturday that no progress had been made and that the brokers were “selling illusions.”
The war in Gaza began after Hamas invaded Israel on October 7, when militants stormed into southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping another 250.
Israel says Hamas still holds about 110 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
More than 40,000 people have died in Gaza since then, according to Palestinian sources.