From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Netanyahu says ‘obstinate’ Hamas blocking Gaza ceasefire
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleNava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
After a meeting with top advisers to discuss the hostages in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that the “one major obstacle” in negotiations for a hostage release deal is that Hamas “remains obstinate.”
“Since the delegation returned from Qatar, we haven’t stopped trying. But there is one major obstacle, and everyone knows it — Hamas. It remains obstinate in its refusal,” says the premier in a video message from his office.
“[United States] President Trump said it, [US special envoy Steve] Witkoff said it, we’re saying it — everyone who knows the facts, including the mediators, knows it,” he continues.
“We are not letting up. We will continue to do everything we can — by one path or another. We are committed to bringing them home,” he concludes.
Netanyahu met with government hostage point man Gal Hirsch, political adviser Ophir Falk, and chief of staff Tzachi Braverman amid stalled ceasefire talks and increasing international pressure on Israel.
The US and Israel pulled their negotiators out of Qatar last week over frustration with Hamas’s response to the latest Gaza ceasefire and hostage release proposal.
An Israeli official told The Times of Israel that Netanyahu will hold consultations on Gaza over the next two days.
The Times of Israel Community.