By James Mackenzie and Nidal al-Mughrabi
JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel is now extra optimistic a couple of doable hostage deal in Gaza, International Minister Gideon Saar mentioned on Monday, amid reviews that Hamas had requested for lists of all hostages nonetheless held by militant teams within the Palestinian enclave.
He mentioned oblique negotiations had been below method concerning the return of about 100 hostages and that, whereas it was nonetheless too early to make sure, prospects had improved.
“We will be extra optimistic than earlier than however we’re not there but. I hope we will likely be there,” Saar informed a press convention in Jerusalem, reiterating Israel’s place that the hostages nonetheless held in Gaza have to be returned earlier than Israel agrees to an finish to the preventing.
“There won’t be a ceasefire in Gaza with no hostage deal,” he mentioned.
A Palestinian official with data of the mediation effort mentioned Hamas had requested different factions in Gaza to begin itemizing the names of Israeli and international hostages of their custody, whether or not lifeless or alive.
The official gave no additional particulars of the mediation effort however mentioned the mediators, backed by the US, had stepped up contacts with Israel and Hamas.
Hamas officers declined quick remark.
An official of a militant group allied with Hamas expressed hope that talks might result in a deal.
Hamas gunmen took over 250 hostages again to Gaza after their assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 folks, in accordance with Israeli tallies. Over 44,700 Palestinians have been killed within the Israeli offensive on Gaza that adopted, Gaza well being authorities say.
Some hostage households voiced cautious optimism after assembly Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Netanyahu informed them the time had come for a hostage deal, the Hostages and Lacking Households Discussion board mentioned.
Both sides accuses the opposite of standing in the way in which of a deal however Saar mentioned Hamas’ earlier place “might need modified throughout current occasions”.
“So if each events are eager about an settlement, there’s a higher likelihood it will likely be achieved,” he mentioned.
Israeli strikes throughout Gaza continued in a single day and on Monday, medics mentioned. One strike killed at the least 4 folks close to Jabalia camp on the northern fringe of the enclave, they mentioned.
In Rafah, close to the southern Gaza border with Egypt, well being officers mentioned rescue groups have recovered at the least 11 our bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes in a single day and on Monday.
Residents of Al-Maghazi camp within the central Gaza Strip mentioned some Israeli tanks pushed into the jap space of the camp early on Monday, forcing some residents to flee their houses.
In a while Monday, medics mentioned an Israeli strike in Al-Maghazi killed 4 youngsters aged between 4 and 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.
