Netanyahu orders talks to release remaining hostages as Israel plans Gaza offensive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the beginning of immediate negotiations to release the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza. Photo / Getty Images

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has ordered the beginning of immediate negotiations to release the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza.

The announcement comes a day after the Defence Ministry approved a plan authorising the call-up of roughly 60,000 reservists to help capture Hamas’ last major strongholds in Gaza City.

“I have come to approve the IDF’s [military’s] plans to take control of Gaza City and defeat Hamas,” the Prime Minister said in a video statement during a visit with the Gaza division.

“At the same time, I have instructed to immediately begin negotiations for the release of all our hostages and the end of the war under conditions acceptable to Israel.”

Mediators have been waiting for days for an official Israeli response to their latest ceasefire proposal, after Hamas accepted the plan earlier this week.

“I greatly appreciate the commitment of the reserve soldiers, and of course the regular army, for this vital mission,” said Netanyahu.

“These two matters – defeating Hamas and releasing all our hostages – go hand in hand.”

Israel and Hamas have held indirect negotiations throughout the nearly two-year conflict, resulting in two short ceasefires during which Israeli hostages were freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Of the 251 hostages seized during Hamas’ October 2023 attack on southern Israel that triggered the war, 49 are still in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

– Agence France-Presse