Hamas Official Discusses Hostage Negotiations

Hamas official Osama Hamdan stated that any hostage deal with Israel must include a permanent ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on continuing the war until Hamas is defeated. The proposed three-phased deal, mediated by Egypt and Qatar with US support, includes a temporary halt to fighting and the release of certain hostages. The US and other international actors are pushing for Hamas to accept the deal, but no formal response has been received from Hamas yet.