Hebrew media reported that Israeli decision-makers, despite increasing US pressure, remain focused on achieving what they describe as a military "defeat of Hamas," even if it comes at the expense of the lives of Israeli prisoners held in the Gaza Strip.
Participating in these talks are US Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Adam Boehler, who arrived in Doha to continue discussions with both sides.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office stated in a press release that Netanyahu held a series of extensive talks with Witkov and the negotiating team for the hostages and missing persons issue. The statement did not reveal further details about these meetings.
For its part, Israel's Channel 12 reported that the recent release of Israeli-American soldier Idan Alexander in Gaza has revitalized the Trump administration's efforts to launch a new round of talks aimed at reaching an agreement to release the detainees and halt the war.
The channel, citing an unnamed Israeli security source, explained that "there are security conditions that would allow for a responsible agreement that would return most of the hostages and end the fighting, but Netanyahu insists on pursuing the military option, even at the expense of increased threats to the lives of the kidnapped individuals."
In a related context, Hamas, in a statement issued on Wednesday, accused the Israeli Prime Minister of undermining mediation efforts by escalating military operations and massacres against civilians in the Gaza Strip.
The statement read: "Netanyahu is racing against time to expand the aggression and commit massacres against civilians, with the aim of thwarting the mediators' efforts to reach a ceasefire and exchange deal."
The movement added that the intense Israeli airstrikes targeting the northern Gaza Strip since dawn on Wednesday have resulted in the deaths of more than 70 civilians in "brutal and fascist" attacks that targeted inhabited homes, continuing a policy of genocide.
Hamas asserted that these crimes "will not bring Netanyahu any victory," noting that "he is seeking, amid the mediators' efforts, to escalate his aggression in a retaliatory manner that serves his political interests."
The movement called on the international community to take immediate action to pressure Israel to halt its aggression and hold accountable those responsible for "war crimes against humanity committed in Gaza."
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving more than 172,000 Palestinians dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.
