Is the Release of Israeli Hostages Approaching?

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated today, Tuesday, that "the Prime Minister has informed families of hostages held in Gaza that an agreement may soon be reached to secure the release of their relatives, despite ongoing confrontations in Gaza." Israeli forces continue operations in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, after issuing evacuation orders for certain areas that they claimed Palestinian militants had launched new attacks from. United Nations officials reported that thousands of people have fled to safer areas following Israeli airstrikes. Netanyahu, who is currently visiting Washington, is expected to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden later this week after giving a speech before Congress. Netanyahu told the families on Monday in Washington: "The conditions (for reaching an agreement) are undoubtedly improving. This is a good sign." Efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, proposed by Biden last May and mediated by Egypt and Qatar, gained momentum over the past month. Netanyahu added: "Unfortunately, this won't happen all at once; there will be stages. However, I believe we can advance the agreement and maintain the capacity to release others (the remaining hostages after the first stage)." Ruby Chen, the father of Itai Chen, a soldier whose body is still held in Gaza and who holds both American and Israeli citizenship, was one of the families that met with Netanyahu. Chen told Israel Army Radio: "He already said that conditions are improving, but I am dealing with that with some caution."