Hostage talks accompany Gaza City operation

Israel signals negotiations for hostages while moving ahead with plans to seize Gaza City, framing talks as linked to ending the war on Israel’s terms.

Netanyahu directs hostage release talks as Gaza City operation moves ahead

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video in which he ordered negotiations for the release of all hostages and an end to the war under terms acceptable to Israel. He also confirmed the military plans to advance toward Gaza City and led a high level security meeting with defense chiefs and cabinet ministers to approve the operation.

Netanyahu said Israel is at a decisive stage and that defeating Hamas and securing the release of all hostages go hand in hand. He did not specify who would negotiate on Israel’s behalf or detail the mediators’ framework, which includes a 60 day ceasefire and staged hostage releases. Officials say about 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed alive. Tens of thousands of reservists have been called up as the army closes in on Gaza City, which has drawn concern from residents who fear a broader war.

The mediators from Qatar and Egypt have proposed terms, but Netanyahu avoided naming the exact framework in his address, leaving open the possibility of a partial agreement. The dialogue comes as the Israeli side presses toward a major assault while keeping certain strategic details close to the chest. Two Israeli sources say Netanyahu is managing developments under tight secrecy and confidentiality.

The move blends military aims with hostage diplomacy, signaling a hybrid approach that tests both battlefield stamina and diplomatic credibility. Framing the talks as inseparable from ending the war raises the stakes for any agreement and could pressure mediators to concede more than they would otherwise. The emphasis on secrecy suggests political sensitivity inside security circles and hints at potential internal tensions about how fast to move or what prices to pay for a deal.

If negotiations hinge on Israel’s terms, trust from mediators and regional partners may be fragile. Civilian protection and transparency will be the real tests as the world watches whether a ceasefire can coexist with a large-scale ground operation. The coming days will reveal whether diplomacy can keep pace with force and whether a durable, humane path through this crisis can emerge from a landscape defined by hard choices and high risk.

Highlights

The situation remains fluid as talks unfold and military plans advance.