Netanyahu: The deal on the release of the hostages is close

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today told the families of hostages held in Gaza that an agreement that would ensure their release could be close, his office announced today.

Netanyahu is currently in Washington and is scheduled to meet with US President Joseph Biden later this week after he delivers a speech to Congress, Reuters reports.

He also addressed the families of the hostages in Washington, saying that the conditions for an agreement on their release are undoubtedly maturing, adding that this is a good sign.

– Efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the plan presented by President Biden in May, with the mediation of Egypt and Qatar, gained momentum last month – Netanyahu said.

He added that, unfortunately, all this cannot happen at once, but will happen gradually and in stages.

– I believe that we can advance the achievement of an agreement, which would give us an advantage and enable us to secure the release of the remaining hostages (those who were not released in the first phase),” said the Israeli Prime Minister.

Meanwhile, fighting continues in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza, with Israeli forces launching a new attack on the southern area of ​​Khan Yunis after ordering civilians to evacuate from areas they said were being used by Palestinian extremists to launch attacks.