Israel has ‘not stopped trying’ to revive Hamas talks, Netanyahu tells hostage families

Israel “has not stopped trying” to revive the hostage talks with Hamas since recalling its negotiating team from Doha last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed to captives’ families Tuesday.

“I have just finished an additional consultation on the issue,” he said in a public address to the families on Tuesday night. “There was a meeting yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that as well. Since the return of the delegation from Qatar, we have not stopped trying.”

However, “there is one big obstacle, and everyone knows what it is—Hamas. It is persisting in its refusal,” continued Netanyahu, adding: “President [Donald] Trump said it. [U.S. Middle East envoy Steve] Witkoff said it. We are saying it. Whoever knows the facts, including the mediators, everyone knows it,” he added.

“We are not relenting. We will continue to do everything we can, one way or the other. We are committed to bringing them back,” he said.

ראש הממשלה בנימין נתניהו בפנייה למשפחות החטופים:

סיימתי עכשיו התייעצות נוספת בנושא שחרור חטופינו. אתמול הייתה ישיבה, שלשום הייתה ישיבה, יום לפני כן גם הייתה ישיבה. מאז שובה של המשלחת מקטאר אנחנו לא מפסיקים לנסות. pic.twitter.com/iStEBV6Zvj

— ראש ממשלת ישראל (@IsraeliPM_heb) July 29, 2025

A Hamas official told AFP on Tuesday that the terror group’s negotiation team had left Doha and was heading to Istanbul to speak with Turkish officials about the breakdown in the indirect talks with Jerusalem.

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