Israel confirms resumption of negotiations for the release of hostages in Gaza

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed this Saturday the resumption of indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Hamas announced on Friday that negotiations were resuming in Doha with a view to obtaining a truce in the Gaza Strip, specifying that they would relate in particular to a “complete cessation of hostilities” between Israel and Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Video of a hostage released by Hamas

The Israeli Defense Minister also informed the parents of hostage Liri Albag, a 19-year-old young woman whose live video was released on Saturday by Hamas, “ongoing efforts to free the hostages, including the Israeli delegation that left yesterday (Friday) for talks in Qatar”, his office said in a statement. He added that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had given “precise directives for the continuation of negotiations”.

The head of the Israeli government spoke with the parents of Liri Albag, kidnapped while she was doing her military service at the Nahal Oz base, in southern Israel. “The Prime Minister promised (the family) that Israel continues to act tirelessly for the return home of Liri and all the hostages, and that efforts continue, including at this time”underlined his office in a press release.

Despite intense diplomatic efforts led under the aegis of Qatar, Egypt and the United States, no truce has been concluded since that of a week at the end of November 2023, which allowed the release of 105 hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Negotiations took place in December in Doha, but Hamas and Israel accused each other of stopping them.