Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that significant efforts are being made in negotiations regarding Israeli hostages in Gaza, affirming Israel’s determination to bring them all back, "alive or dead." Netanyahu spoke about the efforts concerning the hostages held in the Gaza Strip, stating, "We are making great efforts." In a meeting with survivors of the Holocaust who are to light beacons at "Yad Vashem," he said, "We have already brought back half. We are determined to bring them all back... both the living and the dead... we do not forget anyone."
Israeli authorities announced early Friday that they had confirmed the death of Dror Or, one of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, who had been considered alive until this announcement. The announcement of Dror Or's death comes as Qatari, American, and Egyptian mediators are awaiting Hamas's response to a new proposal for a temporary ceasefire that includes a prisoner exchange.
In late November, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire that lasted a week, during which the group released 105 hostages, including 80 Israelis, while Israel freed 240 Palestinians who were held in its prisons. While 133 hostages are still held by Hamas in Gaza, Israel claims that 35 of them are no longer alive, with their bodies held in Gaza, while media reports indicate that only 40 of them are still alive.
