Netanyahu orders to resume negotiations to free hostages

Jul 21. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday ordered the Israeli delegation to be sent back to try to make progress on an agreement for the release of hostages kidnapped in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu has held an “in-depth” discussion with the negotiating team and with the top brass of the security apparatus and has decided that the delegation, led by the head of the secret services, the Mossad, David Barnea, will travel to Doha again to negotiate next Thursday, according to the newspaper ‘The Times of Israel’.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant welcomed Netanyahu’s decision, stressing that “there is a limited window of opportunity for the release of the hostages” in a message posted on X.

Gallant also wished Netanyahu luck on his upcoming visit to Washington and noted that “even though there are disagreements,” Israel’s security apparatus supports him in the mission to return home the 120 hostages held by Palestinian militias.

Meanwhile, a group of demonstrators have already gathered at Ben Gurion Airport to protest against Netanyahu and demand an agreement. They are asking him not to travel to Washington without having reached an agreement.

Among the banners are messages such as “Mr. Abandonment,” a parody of the “Mr. Security” brandished by Netanyahu. The prime minister was due to leave for the United States on Sunday afternoon, but has delayed his departure after his meeting with US President Joe Biden was postponed to Tuesday.