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Netanyahu agrees on talks based on US proposal to free 11 living hostages

The Witkoff plan also calls for the release of half of the deceased captives held in Gaza

March 16, 2025 10:42
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Israelis protest for the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, March 15, 2025 Credit: Flash90
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday night directed his negotiating team to prepare for renewed hostage-ceasefire talks based on US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff’s proposal.

This will seek the immediate release of 11 living captives and half of the bodies still being held by Hamas in Gaza.

The decision was made following a ministerial meeting in Jerusalem, and amid an apparent impasse in negotiations in Doha.

The Israel Defence Forces has confirmed that 35 of the 59 hostages still held by Palestinian terrorists in the Strip are dead.