Israel to discuss hostage release deal with Hamas

By Nathan Morley

Israel will send a team of negotiators to discuss a hostage release deal with Hamas.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the green light to send a delegation for talks on a ceasefire deal with Hamas and the release of hostages.

In Washington, President Joe Biden applauded the development.

Israel's agreeing to take part in the negotiations, which will probably take place in Egypt or Qatar, came just 24 hours after the Qatari and Egyptian mediators, backed by the US, delivered Hamas' response to a proposed deal to Israel.

Israel's state television news reported on voices of 'optimism' in Jerusalem about the prospects of reaching a deal, describing Hamas' response as the 'best' since the start of indirect talks.

All of this marks a renewed push to negotiate an end to the nine-month-long conflict, which, has resulted in the deaths of more than 38,000 Palestinians in the battered enclave.

Israel launched a huge offensive in the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack through southern Israel last year, during which about 1,200 people were murdered and around 250 others were kidnapped.