Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised the possibility of a possible deal to release hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip during an interview with NBC on Sunday.
Netanyahu was asked about the possibility of reaching an agreement regarding the women, children and elderly taken hostage.
“Is there a possible agreement?” the journalist asked. “It could be,” he replied, “but I think the less I express myself on the subject, the more the chances of it materializing increase,” he declared, specifying that things were moving forward thanks to Israeli military pressure.
"We weren't anywhere close (to an agreement) until we started ground operations," he said. "But the moment we started ground operations, things started to change."
"Pushing pressure on Hamas leaders is what can produce a deal, and if a deal is available, we will talk about it when it is there, we will announce it if it is concluded," he said, he added.
The Israeli military estimates that about 240 people were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip during the initial Hamas attack. Among these captives are at least thirty minors, including young children, according to Israeli media.
