Captives’ families vow to prevent Netanyahu from ‘derailing’ agreement
The Israeli captives’ families declared they would not allow Netanyahu to “derail the agreement with Hamas or turn Gaza’s tunnels into graves” for their relatives.
In a statement on Saturday, they called for demonstrations in front of the Israeli Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv.
“In the place where Netanyahu threatens to launch a new war, violating agreements and sacrificing the hostages, we will continue to send a clear message tonight: we will not allow you to turn Gaza’s tunnels into graves for our children,” they stated.
The families stressed the “demand for the return of the hostages all at once”.
Israel estimates that 59 captives are still held in Gaza, with at least 22 of them alive.
Family members and friends of Israelis held captive set up tents around the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv as they demand their release on March 11, 2025
Very big gap among Gaza ceasefire negotiating parties
Things appear to be in limbo because each of the three parties is firmly standing its ground.
Hamas has offered to release one Israeli captive who holds dual citizenship, along with the bodies of four captives. Israel has its own proposal, while the US envoy Steve Witkoff has proposed something more aligned with Netanyahu’s position – but certainly neither here nor there.
The statement issued by Witkoff also offers a bit of a threat to Hamas – that it must answer before the deadline set by US President Donald Trump, a deadline that has not been disclosed. It also appeared to offer some insight by saying Hamas was being unrealistic, almost obstinate in the negotiations – which perhaps points to Hamas offering its own vision of what the day after the war will look like.
Hamas insists that the end of the war must be discussed, not just the particulars of an agreement or a bridging proposal.
So there’s still a very big gap.
Meanwhile, some Israeli media reports suggest that Netanyahu may be proposing to the Israeli cabinet this evening steps to further escalate and apply even more pressure, perhaps even militarily, on Hamas to get them to accept the Witkoff proposal.
Israel prepared to resume Gaza ceasefire talks: PM’s office
Israel is prepared to continue Gaza ceasefire talks based on the mediators’ response to a US proposal, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
According to the statement, the proposal would see 11 living captives and half the dead captives released “immediately”.
According to Israeli media, 24 captives are believed to be alive in Gaza and 35 captives are confirmed dead.
