Netanyahu has insisted there is no agreement on the release of Hamas’s captives in Gaza amid reports of an imminent deal for their release.
In a briefing on Saturday night, the Israeli prime minister said there was no agreement “as of now” and there had been “a lot of incorrect reports” about the release of the captives.
“I would like to make it clear: As of now, there has been no deal. But I want to promise: When there is something to say – we will report to you about it,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Reuters news agency reported that Hamas had agreed to the
“general outlines” of a deal to free 50 captives in exchange for a three-day pause in the war.
Asked if he had rejected such a deal, Netanyahu on Saturday said there was “no deal on the table”, the Times of Israel reported.
Hours after Netanyahu’s briefing, the Washington Post reported that the US, Israel and Hamas were “close” to reaching a deal to free dozens of women and children in exchange for a five-day pause in fighting. The Post report said the release of the captives could begin in several days barring any last-minute obstacles, citing unnamed people who were familiar with the discussions.
The White House quickly denied the report, saying a deal had not been reached yet.
Source: AlJazeera
