Netanyahu says engaged in ‘complex negotiations’ to reach a truce

Israeli PM Netanyahu says engaged in ‘complex negotiations’ to reach a truce
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a Cabinet meeting that there ought to be more pressure on Hamas militants to bring about a cease-fire deal.

“Hamas, up to this moment, remains obstinate. It did not even send a representative to the talks in Doha. Therefore, the pressure should be directed at Hamas and (Yahya) Sinwar, not at the Israeli government,” Netanyahu said at the meeting, referring to the newly appointed Hamas chief.

Pressure has been growing on Israel, including from families of hostages held in Gaza, to finalize a deal to see their loved ones return home.

Netanyahu said at the meeting, “we are conducting very complex negotiations,” adding that “there are things we can be flexible on and there are things that we cannot be flexible on, which we will insist on.”

He said “enormous efforts” are being made to bring home hostages, adding, “We firmly stand by the principles we have set, which are essential for Israel’s security.”

Some 110 hostages are believed to be in Gaza, with Israeli authorities saying around a third are deceased. A truce deal in November freed more than 100 hostages.