Progress on hostage deal, says Israeli PM

Netanyahu's remarks come as Palestinian groups note progress on bid for ceasefire

- AFP

JERUSALEM - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Dec 23 that "some progress" had been made in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held in Gaza, more than 14 months into the war.

His comments in Parliament come two days after Palestinian militant groups also talked of progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release deal.

In recent days, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US took place in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement that has proven elusive.

"Everything we are doing cannot be disclosed. We are taking actions to bring them back. I wish to say cautiously that there has been some progress, and we will not stop acting until we bring them all home," Mr Netanyahu told Parliament, on the same day he testified at his ongoing corruption trial.

"I want to say to the families of the hostages: We are thinking of you and we will not give up on your loved ones, who are our loved ones as well," he said.

Hostage families have questioned the sincerity of government negotiation efforts, and critics have long accused Mr Netanyahu of stalling in truce talks, prolonging the war partly to appease his far-right coalition partners.