As a news report Israel’s new ceasefire proposal The niece of a US and Israeli prisoner has renewed hopes for the release of hostages still held by Hamas, but believes an agreement can be reached, but the family is unsure if any kind of peace agreement can be finalized. He also said he was concerned that this would not be in the interest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political agenda.
President Biden met with Prime Minister Netanyahu on Sunday, the White House confirmed to CBS News.
“I think it’s possible to reach an agreement. I mean, we know that. We reached an agreement in November…so that I know it’s possible.” He told host Margaret Brennan that the United States was “playing an important role” in the negotiation process, just as it was during the first ceasefire, but that “ultimately this is a conflict between Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.” It’s a negotiation between now and then.”
“And one of the things that really worries my family and worries me is that it’s probably not in Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political interest to get a deal done,” Siegel said.
her uncle, Keith Siegelwas one of the people taken hostage by Hamas when the group attacked southern Israel on October 7. Israeli authorities said 250 people were captured and later hidden in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas, suspending it only for a week-long ceasefire brokered in November, during which more than 100 hostages, mostly women and children, were taken to prison, where they were previously held in Israeli prisons. Freed along with 240 Palestinians.
CBS News
Prime Minister Netanyahu said the release of the remaining hostages is one of his three main goals in Gaza.he reiterated those points About “Face the Nation” The other two were to “destroy Hamas” and “ensure that Gaza poses no future threat to Israel.”
“Peace cannot be achieved unless there is complete victory,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the time. As war approaches, some hostage families have accused Israeli leaders, including the prime minister and his unprecedented far-right cabinet, of abandoning a deal that could have saved the hostages. for political reasons.
“There’s a lot going on in the political situation in Israel,” Siegel said Sunday. “We’re on the 205th day. A deal is being considered, but it’s proving difficult to implement. I’m worried that it’s Prime Minister Netanyahu’s fault.”
“So I think now is the time. I believe we can get a deal right now. But if that’s not possible, I think the Biden administration should look at what it can do directly to get the U.S. to agree. I think so.” The people go home. ”
Keith Siegel’s wife Aviva Siegel was one of the hostages released by Hamas during the ceasefire. His family said they hadn’t heard from him for several months until he appeared in undated video footage released by Hamas on Saturday on the group’s social media channels, which are often used for propaganda. Days after similar footage was released, Siegel was seen in a video with another hostage, identified by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum as Omri Milan. Hersh Goldberg-Pollin, another Israeli-American is taken hostage. Mr. Siegel, 64, has American and Israeli citizenship.
As of April 24, five American citizens are missing in Gaza and presumed alive, a U.S. official confirmed to CBS News. The remains of the other three Americans are believed to be in the possession of Hamas. U.S. officials told CBS News that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the latest proof of survival video after its release on Saturday.
Hannah Siegel told Brennan on Sunday that the timing of the release of the propaganda video could indicate Hamas is open to a deal with Israel.
“You know, for us, this is the moment,” she said. “I think these two videos are a signal that Hamas is ready to make a deal and a reminder that American citizens, including Keith, are being held.”
There have been growing calls from civilians to prioritize the safe return of the remaining hostages, and despite Biden’s promise that his administration would “not rest” until that happens, Israel’s previous interim ceasefire has been halted. Since it ended, attempts to reach another ceasefire agreement have collapsed. autumn. Hamas is demanding a long-term cessation of fighting and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, in exchange for the release of the bodies of about 100 prisoners who are believed to be still alive and about 30 others.Israel is repeatedly rejected Hamas’ demands He then stated that he would continue his attacks with the goal of annihilating the group.
However, senior Hamas official Khalil al-Khaiba said on Saturday that he was evaluating Israel’s new ceasefire proposal and “will submit a response as soon as the review is complete,” the Associated Press reported. Officials did not provide details of the proposal, but said it was in response to a proposal from Hamas two weeks ago, according to the Associated Press.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is visiting the region on Sunday to discuss a ceasefire and possible hostage agreement. Hannah Siegel said she “believes we can get a deal right now,” but if negotiations fail again, she urges the Biden administration to “think about what we can do directly to bring Americans home.” I called out.
“What I know is that the Biden administration has shown an unwavering and unrelenting commitment to my family and the families of all the hostages,” she said. “And I know that it’s their priority to bring home all the hostages, including Americans. And I know that they’re doing absolutely everything they can. .”
