JERUSALEM, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement on Friday that Israel is considering new ways to release the Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
"Together with our U.S. allies, we are now considering alternative options to bring our hostages home, end Hamas's reign of terror, and secure lasting peace for Israel and our region," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu's remarks came a day after Hamas responded to the proposal put forward by countries mediating a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Following Hamas' response, Israel decided to bring back its negotiating teams from Doha for further consultations.
In the statement, Netanyahu added that Special U.S. Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff "got it right. Hamas is the obstacle to a hostage release deal."
Witkoff wrote on Thursday on the social media platform X that Hamas' latest response "clearly shows a lack of willingness to reach a ceasefire in Gaza." He noted that the United States will explore "alternative options" for achieving a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, according to Israeli media reports, Israel will allow Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to resume airdropping humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
The airdrops are being coordinated with the Israel Defense Forces, The Times of Israel cited the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, an official Israeli unit responsible for civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, as saying.
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, ongoing since October 2023, has resulted in more than 59,210 Palestinian deaths and over 143,040 injuries, according to latest figures from Gaza-based health authorities. ■
