No ceasefire without release of our hostages: Netanyahu puts to rest 'false rumours'

“No ceasefire without the release of our hostages,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, again rejecting the prospect of stop fighting in Gaza, amid reports of negotiations for a temporary truce with Hamas.

Calling the reports of ceasefire “false rumours”, Netanyahu said: “I’d like to put to rest all kinds of false rumours we’re hearing from all kinds of directions, and reiterate one clear thing: there will be no ceasefire without the release of our hostages.”

A report by AFP mentioned that on Wednesday a source close to Hamas said talks were underway for the release of a dozen hostages held by the Islamists, including six Americans, in return for a three-day ceasefire in Gaza.

The source close to Hamas had further said the pause in fighting was being brokered “to enable Egypt an extended (period of time) to deliver humanitarian aid” and let Hamas release the 12 hostages.

“There’s disagreement around the time period and around the north (of the Gaza Strip), which is witnessing extensive combat operations,” the source added.

A separate source, on Wednesday, briefed on the talks said Qatar was mediating negotiations in coordination with the US to free “10-15 hostages in exchange for a one- to two-day ceasefire”.

Also, the G7 grouping of economically advanced nations on Wednesday called for “humanitarian pauses and corridors” in the conflict, but refrained from calling for a ceasefire, during talks in Japan.

In Gaza, fighting has raged for over a month following Hamas’ surprice and unprecedented October 7 attack that killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took 239 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.

In Gaza, 10,569 people, also mostly civilians, have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory military campaign to destroy Hamas, the health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory has said.

With inputs from AFP