Israel denies it is conducting hostage negotiations via Egypt

By Lazar Berman

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8 October 2023, 5:11 pm Edit

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Noa Argamani is seen being kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the massacre at the Supernova desert rave in the south on October 7, 2023. (Screenshot used in accordance with clause 27a of the copyright law)

Despite media reports about Egypt negotiating with Hamas on Israel’s behalf, an Israeli official tells The Times of Israel that the government “does not know of any such conversation and is not conducting any negotiations.”

Another officials tells The Times of Israel that “right now we are fighting terrorists on Israeli territory. We’re not involved in any talks about the hostages right now.”

The government has confirmed that at least 100 Israelis are being held in Gaza, with media reports suggesting as many as 170 may be captive in the Strip.