Netanyahu: We continue our efforts to retrieve hostages held by Hamas

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today, Tuesday, that Israel continues its efforts to release the hostages held by Hamas, despite the movement's "rejection".

In a recorded message to the families of the hostages, Netanyahu said: "Additional consultations were held today regarding the hostages file, as intensive sessions have been held in the past days since the return of the delegation from Qatar. We do not stop trying".

He pointed out that "the major obstacle to progress is Hamas, which continues to reject reaching an agreement", adding that "everyone is aware of this, including those who were deceived".

Netanyahu also reaffirmed his government's commitment to the release of the hostages, saying: "We will not retreat, and we will continue to work by all possible means to bring them back".

The head of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, said on Sunday that the continuation of the ongoing negotiations on a ceasefire cannot be achieved in the face of the ongoing blockade, destruction, and starvation of civilians in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that the immediate and dignified entry of food and medicine is "the true and serious expression of the usefulness of continuing negotiations".

Al-Hayya added in a recorded speech that "there is no meaning to continuing negotiations under the blockade, destruction, and starvation of our children, women, and people in the Gaza Strip", warning that Hamas "will not accept our people, their suffering, and the blood of their sons to be victims of the negotiating occupation's maneuvers to achieve its political goals".

These statements come at a time when indirect ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel are facing obstacles, with mutual accusations of lack of seriousness in the negotiations.