Netanyahu tells parents of hostage that Israel is working on deal to free 10 captives

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the parents of hostage Eitan Mor that the government is working on a deal that would see 10 of the remaining captives released, according to the Tikva Forum.

Netanyahu called Mor’s parents last night to update them on efforts to secure a deal to release the hostages.

Mor’s father Zvika is a co-founder of the Tikva Forum, a right-wing alternative to the main hostage advocacy group.

Talks have reportedly been deadlocked over Israel’s demand that the terror group free 11 of the hostages in exchange for an extended ceasefire, while Hamas has offered to release five. According to reports over the weekend, in its latest proposal, Israel has expressed readiness to lower the number of hostages released.

The Tikva Forum statement indicates that Israel is now demanding 10 hostages. A Hamas official quoted by Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen also said the group was looking at an Israeli proposal for a 45-day ceasefire in exchange for 10 hostages.

“Tzvika and Efrat Mor emphasized to the prime minister the position of the Tikva Forum that all the hostages need to be released in one phase on the same bus, without selection between them,” the forum says.

Eitan Mor, 23, was a security guard at the Nova rave music festival when he was captured.

Hamas continues to hold 59 hostages, only 24 of whom are still believed to be alive.