"Hamas is trying to hide the fact that it continues to oppose a hostage release deal and is thwarting it," Netanyahu's office stated. "While Israel accepted the 'final bridging proposal' made by the US on Aug. 16, 2024, Hamas rejected it and even murdered six of our hostages in cold blood.

"The world must demand that Hamas free our hostages immediately," the prime minister reiterated in the statement.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in London on Tuesday that the Biden administration is determined to achieve a truce in Gaza "as soon as possible," stressing that "the quickest way to do so remains bringing the ceasefire agreement over the finish line."

He added, "We are working with our Egyptian and Qatari counterparts to work together to bridge any remaining gaps, and in the coming time very soon we'll put that before the parties and we'll see what they say."

The optimistic comments come amid pessimism expressed in recent days by American and Israeli mediators about the prospects of a deal.

The US has publicly blamed Hamas for holding up the deal, with White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby saying on Monday that "Hamas is the main obstacle to this right now."

The Washington Post cited a senior US official as saying last week that while the two sides had agreed to the release of terrorist murderers in exchange for Hamas freeingIsrael Defense Forces troops, Hamas last week decided that civilians would also need to be exchanged for these longtime prisoners, an idea the official described as a "poison pill."

However, Israel's Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday that Cairo and Doha "think the opposite" and accuse Jerusalem of dragging its feet.

Netanyahu on Sept. 5 dismissed reports suggesting that an agreement was close. "In fact, while we agreed in May, in July and in August to a deal, an American proposal, Hamas has consistently said no to every one of them," he said on Thursday.

One hundred and one hostages—alive and dead—are still held captive, 342 days after the Oct. 7 attacks. Off-and-on talks have continued for months with the United States, Egypt and Qatar acting as mediators. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Reprinted with permission from JNS.org

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Why the New RomCom ‘MERV’ Can Bring You Joy This Christmas

How the 'Heavens Declare the Glory of God': What One Man's Research Has Revealed about The Star of Bethlehem

Over 50 Tren de Aragua Gang Members Imported Under Democrats Indicted in Nebraska in Massive Nationwide ATM Jackpotting Scheme

205 Child Victims Located and Rescued in DOJ Sex Exploitation Op

Trump Admin Pausing All Off Shore Wind Project Construction Due To National Security Concerns

Trump Grants Federal Workers Two Additional Christmas Holidays

America Fest 2025: Erika Kirk Endorses 'My Husband's Friend' JD Vance for President

Brent Bozell Confirmed as US Ambassador to South Africa

Jury Quickly Convicts Judge Who Helped Illegal Migrant Escape ICE

Feds Estimate Somali-Linked Fraud in Walz's Minnesota Could Top $9 Billion

Trump SUSPENDS 'Green Card Lottery' after Program Let Brown University–MIT Shooting Suspect Enter the US

Brown, MIT Shooter Found Dead for Days in NH Storage Unit; Motive Still a Mystery

House Passes Bill to Criminalize Transgender Mutilation of Children

November Inflation Falls to 2.7%, Lower than Expected: 'This Is Good News for Wall Street; It’s Good News for Main Street'

MOVIEGUIDE's Review of the New Animated Film: DAVID

Massachusetts Drops Controversial Gender Ideology Mandate for Licensing Foster Care Parents

Nearly 40% of Women Suffer Severe Grief for Years after Abortion, Miscarriage: Study

Former Pfizer Vice President: COVID Shots Were 'Designed to Cause Injury,' Reduce Fertility

Dutch Sheets Shares a Warning from the US National Counterterrorism Center

Venezuela: Trump's Pressure Campaign and Maduro's Fury