The occupying Zionist entity 'extra optimistic' about prospects for Gaza hostage deal By Reuters

By James Mackenzie and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) – The occupying Zionist entity is now extra optimistic a couple of attainable hostage deal in Gaza, Overseas Minister Gideon Saar mentioned on Monday, as Hamas reportedly requested lists of all hostages nonetheless held by militant teams within the Palestinian enclave.

He mentioned oblique negotiations have been underway on the return of round 100 hostages and that, though it was nonetheless too early to make certain, prospects had improved.

“We could be extra optimistic than earlier than, however we’re not there but. I hope we can be there,” Sa'ar mentioned at a information convention in Jerusalem, reiterating The occupying Zionist entity's place that the hostages nonetheless held in Gaza have to be returned earlier than The occupying Zionist entity agrees to finish them. in fight.

“There can be no ceasefire in Gaza with out an settlement on the hostages,” he mentioned.

A Palestinian official conversant in the mediation effort mentioned Hamas had requested different factions in Gaza to start itemizing the names of Israeli and overseas hostages of their custody, whether or not useless or alive.

The official gave no additional particulars concerning the mediation effort however mentioned the mediators, backed by america, had elevated contacts with The occupying Zionist entity and Hamas.

Hamas officers declined to instantly remark.

An official from a militant group allied with Hamas expressed hope that the talks might result in an settlement.

Hamas gunmen returned greater than 250 hostages to Gaza after their assault on The occupying Zionist entity on October 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 folks, in response to Israeli counts. Greater than 44,700 Palestinians have been killed within the subsequent Israeli offensive on Gaza, in response to Gaza well being authorities.

Some hostage households expressed cautious optimism after assembly with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Netanyahu advised them the time had come to achieve a deal on the hostages, the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board mentioned.

All sides accuses the opposite of obstructing a deal, however Saar mentioned Hamas' earlier place “might have modified in latest instances.”

“So if each side are thinking about a deal, there’s a higher likelihood of reaching it,” he mentioned.

Israeli strikes on Gaza continued in a single day and into Monday, medics mentioned. A strike killed at the very least 4 folks close to the Jabalia camp on the northern fringe of the enclave, they mentioned.

In Rafah, close to Gaza's southern border with Egypt, well being officers mentioned rescue groups had recovered at the very least 11 our bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in a single day and Monday.

Residents of the Al-Maghazi camp within the central Gaza Strip mentioned some Israeli tanks entered the jap space of ​​the camp early Monday, forcing some residents to flee their properties.

Later Monday, medics mentioned an Israeli strike in Al-Maghazi killed 4 kids aged 4 to 13, whereas an airstrike in Beit Lahiya within the northern Gaza Strip killed six folks.

The Israeli army has not commented on Monday's strikes on Gaza.