Ceasefire talks: Israel's FM says releasing hostages 'opportunity' for Gaza; Hamas insists on full end to war

Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Saar on Wednesday said any chance to free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza must not be missed, after US President Donald Trump claimed that Israel had agreed to a proposed 60-day ceasefire.In a post on X, Saar said, “There is a large majority in the government and among the people for the plan to release hostages. If there is an opportunity to do so - it must not be missed!”

The statement came hours after Trump said that Israel had agreed to the necessary terms for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, and urged Hamas to accept the deal before the situation worsens. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that his representatives had a “long and productive” meeting with Israeli officials and confirmed that Qatar and Egypt would deliver the final proposal to Hamas.Also read: Middle East conflict: Donald Trump announces Israel's agreement to 60-day ceasefire plan; urges Hamas to take deal“I hope, for the good of the Middle East, that Hamas takes this Deal, because it will not get better - IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE,” Trump warned, adding that a deal could be finalised as early as next week.

Hamas’ response to Trump’s warning

In response, Hamas said it was open to discussions but insisted that any deal must bring a complete end to the war. It, however, stopped short of accepting a US-backed proposal.Hamas official Taher al-Nunu, said the group was “ready and serious regarding reaching an agreement” and “ready to accept any initiative that clearly leads to the complete end to the war.”

A Hamas delegation is expected to meet with Qatari and Egyptian mediators in Cairo on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, according to an Egyptian official who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported AP.Ceasefire talks between the two sides have repeatedly stalled over whether an end to the war should be included as part of any agreement. Hamas has said it is willing to release the remaining 50 hostages, less than half of whom are believed to still be alive, in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a formal end to the war.Israel, however, maintains it will only stop fighting if Hamas agrees to surrender, disarm, and exile itself- conditions Hamas has rejected.The proposed ceasefire would be used as a window to work toward ending the nearly 21-month-long war, a goal Israel has so far rejected unless Hamas is completely defeated.