JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that there had been “significant progress” in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, but that it was “too soon” to raise hopes that a deal would be reached. Despite efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu again said on Tuesday that significant progress had been made in hostage negotiations with Hamas.

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that there had been “significant progress” in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza,…

Despite renewed Qatari involvement in the talks, senior Israeli officials say a hostage deal is still far off, and no understandings to end the war in Gaza have been reached