Netanyahu signals start of hostage talks

Israel says negotiations to free hostages and end the war will begin while mediators propose a 60 day ceasefire and a Gaza City assault plan advances.

Netanyahu Pushes Start of Hostage Talks Amid Gaza Campaign

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has directed negotiators to begin talks to secure the release of all remaining hostages and end the war on terms acceptable to Israel. He also announced that his cabinet approved plans for a large assault on Gaza City, despite broad international and domestic opposition. Hamas has reportedly agreed to a 60-day ceasefire proposal drawn up by mediators from Qatar and Egypt, which would include the release of about half of the remaining hostages, according to Qatar. Netanyahu has not yet accepted the proposal, keeping a negotiator’s street close to a knife edge.

The move signals a shift toward diplomacy even as military plans stay on the table. It tests Netanyahu’s political calculus at home and the willingness of regional partners to back a pause. Analysts say the outcome will hinge on credibility: can a ceasefire become more than a pause, and can hostage deals unlock relief for civilians? The risk is a fragile truce that collapses if violence resumes or if trust erodes between leaders and the public.

Highlights

The path to a durable pause will test leadership and resilience on the ground.