Netanyahu ready to offer ransom to Hamas to free hostages: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is ready to offer the Hamas “several million dollars” for the release of each hostage held by the group in Gaza, an Israeli newspaper reported.

Quoting an unnamed official, the Times of Israel also said that Netanyahu was prepared to guarantee “safe passage” out of Gaza for the captors of the hostages and their families if those abducted last year are freed.

The monetary offer was first reported by Channel 12.

Hostage talks in limbo

An unnamed official quoted by the Times also confirmed a US State Department statement on Monday that the Hamas had rejected a proposal for a short-term ceasefire and hostage release deal.

An Egyptian proposal envisioned a 12-day ceasefire during which the Hamas would agree to release four hostages, leading to talks about a permanent ceasefire.

But the Hamas has made clear that it would only agree to a short-term deal that includes guarantees for a longer-term one.

How many hostages

The paper said that it was believed that 97 of the 251 hostages abducted by the Hamas during its October 7 attack last year remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the Israeli Defence Forces.

The Hamas is also holding two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015 as well as the bodies of two Israeli soldiers killed in 2014.