JERUSALEM, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that "significant progress" had been made in negotiations for a hostage release deal with Hamas, but cautioned that it was too early to raise hopes.
"We are working around the clock at this time, continuously. I hope we will be able to move forward," Netanyahu said in a video statement.
His office later said that, in light of "certain progress in the negotiations," Netanyahu was convening a meeting on Tuesday evening with senior defense officials and members of the negotiating team to receive updates on the proposed framework and discuss next steps.
Israel resumed its military offensive in Gaza in March, ending a two-month truce under which 33 hostages were freed. Since then, Qatari, Egyptian, and U.S. mediators have continued efforts to broker a new deal, but no breakthrough has been reached.
Israeli officials say 55 hostages remain in Gaza, including at least 20 who are alive. The hostages were abducted during Hamas' deadly cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war.
Israeli attacks have killed more than 54,980 people in Gaza, according to health authorities in the territory. ■
