Benjamin Netanyahu says there ‘could be’ a potential deal to release hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that there “could be” a potential hostage deal with Hamas but declined to give any further details, saying it could thwart the delicate negotiations to free those taken captive by the militant group on Oct. 7.

“I think the less I say about it, the more I’ll increase the chances that it materializes” he said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

It is just over a month since Hamas launched its terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7 in a brutal ambush that saw more than 1,200 killed and around 220 people taken hostage.

In the weeks that have followed, Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza in response has seen more than 11,000 people killed, while more than 1.6 million people have been displaced, according to health officials in the besieged enclave and estimates from the United Nations.

Asked by host Kristen Welker about how close Israel was to getting the hostages out, Netanyahu said that no deal had been close until his forces began the ground operation in Gaza.

“We heard that there was an impending deal of this kind or of that kind and then we learned that it was all hokum. But the minute we started the ground operation that began to change,” he said.

Pressed again by Welker on whether there is a potential deal to release more hostages, Netanyahu replied: “There could be.”

Any deal, was “the result of pressure, military pressure,” he said, before praising the work of the Israel Defense Forces. “That’s the one thing that might create a deal and if a deal is available. Well, we will talk about it when it’s there. We’ll announce it if it’s achievable,” he said.

Asked if he knew where all the hostages were being held right now, Netanyahu said: “We know a great deal, but I won’t go beyond that.”

A Biden administration official confirmed to NBC News on Sunday that a possible deal for the release of hostages that was being discussed.

This would see the release of about 80 women and children in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and teenagers held by Israel, the official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said.

They added that the U.S. is also exploring other options and there is no certainty that any of them will succeed.

As the death toll mounts, protesters have rallied around the world, including in the United States, to call for a cease-fire that would bring an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.

The Biden administration supports a humanitarian pause in the conflict but has not yet called for a cease-fire. Asked by reporters last week on the chances of a Gaza ceasefire, President Joe Biden said: “None, no possibility.”

However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday that “far too many” Palestinians have died and suffered in the Gaza Strip. Speaking to reporters in India’s capital New Delhi as he wrapped up an intense nine-day diplomatic tour of the Middle East and Asia, he said: “Much more needs to be done to protect civilians and to make sure that humanitarian assistance reaches them.”

“Far too many Palestinians have been killed, far too many have suffered these past weeks, and we want to do everything possible to prevent harm to them and to maximize the assistance that gets to them,” he added.