Israeli Defense Minister Israël Katz confirmed on Saturday the resumption of indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar for the release of hostages held in Gaza since the Palestinian movement's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The minister informed the relatives of hostage Liri Albag, whose video showing signs of life was released by Hamas on Saturday, about "ongoing efforts to free the hostages, including the Israeli delegation that left on Friday for talks in Qatar," his office stated in a press release.
He also mentioned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had issued "specific directives to continue the negotiations."
On Friday, Hamas announced the resumption of negotiations in Doha aimed at securing a truce in Gaza, which would include a "complete cessation of hostilities" between Hamas and Israel and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the region.
Netanyahu also spoke with the parents of Liri Albag, a 19-year-old soldier abducted from the Nahal Oz base in southern Israel.
"The prime Minister assured the family that Israel continues to work tirelessly for Liri's return home, along with all other hostages, and that efforts are ongoing, even now," his office noted in a statement.
Despite intensive diplomacy led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, no truce has been reached since a week-long ceasefire in late November 2023, during which hostages were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Negotiations held in December in Doha ended in stalemates, with both Hamas and Israel blaming each other for the impasse.
With AFP
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