New hope for a ceasefire has emerged in the Middle East since Israel and Hamas have held indirect negotiations in Doha, together with Qatar, Egypt, and the USA, in recent days.
Just a few days ago, both sides reported progress. But now, Hamas is accusing Israel of having "set new conditions" that have "delayed an agreement", while Israel, in turn, claims that Hamas has created "new obstacles".
Israel's President Isaac Herzog – whose role is largely symbolic – is urging the country's leaders to move towards an agreement on the release of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.
I urge our leadership to act with all its might and with all the means at our disposal to bring about an agreement, he says on Wednesday at an event marking the start of the Chanukka holiday.
Of Hamas's more than 250 hostages, taken to Gaza during the terrorist attack on October 7 last year, around 100 people are still being held in Gaza, of whom approximately one-third have been confirmed dead by Israel's military.
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