US, Israel Deny Reported Breakthrough In Deal With Hamas To Pause Conflict, Free Hostages

The US and Israel have denied reports stating that a deal has been reached with Hamas to pause the fighting for five days.

The United States and Israel have denied a report of reaching a deal to pause the fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip and allowing the hostages to return back to their families. A report published in the Washington Post on Saturday stated that Israel and Hamas were close to reach a breakthrough, brokered by the US, to pause the fighting for five days, allowing humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and freeing up some hostages by Hamas. 

But later the report was denied by both the US and Israel. "We have not reached a deal yet," said National Security Council Spokesperson, Adrienne Watson in a post on X adding "but we continue to work hard to get to a deal."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also dismissed “a lot of incorrect reports” about the agreement, according to a Times of Israel report. 

“As of now there is no deal,” Netanyahu said in a press conference, adding that the Israeli public will be updated if any such deal is reached. 

“We are marching with you, I am marching with you, all of the people of Israel are marching with you,” he said in reference to a five-day march by the families of hostages from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem ending Saturday. 

The Washington Post, in its report, had said that the release of hostages could begin “within the next several days.” 

“A detailed, six-page set of written terms would require all parties to the conflict to freeze combat operations for at least five days while an initial 50 or more hostages are released in smaller batches every 24 hours,” the report said. 

“It was not immediately clear how many of the 239 people believed to be in captivity in Gaza would be released under the deal. Overhead surveillance would monitor movement on the ground to police the pause,” it added. 

Meanwhile, Netanyahu, who is facing mounting pressures for a ceasefire, said he pledged to continue pressing the military action in Gaza until the Palestinian militant group is overthrown and hostages are released.