The Israeli government prepared a proposal to initiate new negotiations with the Palestinian group Hamas for the release of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the offer, according to local media.
Israel's Channel 13 reported that unnamed Israeli ministers outlined the general framework of a deal in recent days aimed at securing the release of Israeli captives held by Hamas.
Negotiations were expected to proceed through an unnamed mediator, but Netanyahu reportedly rejected the move.
The decision to reject the proposal, as indicated by the channel, was made without coordinating with war cabinet ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot.
Channel 13 also reported statements from unnamed political officials claiming that Netanyahu was hindering efforts towards an agreement for the release of the hostages.
Regarding the negotiations, Netanyahu's office said the condition demanded by Hamas, which the prime minister categorically rejected, is the end of the war.
Israel claims that Hamas has been holding 136 Israelis in Gaza since Oct. 7, while Hamas demands a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons in exchange for releasing Israeli prisoners in its custody.
The Israeli army has been conducting a devastating war in Gaza since Oct. 7, resulting in 24,448 deaths and 61,504 injuries.
The conflict has led to the displacement of more than 85% of the population in the Gaza Strip -- approximately 1.9 million residents -- according to Palestinian authorities and the UN.
