'In the last few days I’ve spoken to sources in Qatar who are working on negotiations between Israel and Hamas. They said they had been close to a deal on hostages being held in Gaza.
One contact said to me they had done all the hard stuff. They were dotting I’s and crossing T’s when Israel started the ground invasion.
Israel’s position is even though there are 240 hostages, they don’t want to give Hamas any sort of impunity or type of reward for what they’ve done.
We’ve heard from Israeli government spokespeople who say force and strength is the only way to get Hamas to release the hostages.
However, a lot of hostage families are saying we need to make a deal on this, now.
I’ve watched the hostage video that was released yesterday several times, and to me it didn’t appear to be scripted.
All hostage videos are made under duress, but by the end of the video message, the woman speaking was shouting at Netanyahu, you need to make a deal, you need to get us out now.'
Latest on https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67258466 at 11:30
I know some will say that the never negotiate with terrorists principle takes precedence but when war is unleashed I believe that moment has passed. |  |
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