Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to suggest today that new negotiations are under way to return hostages held by Hamas after the head of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency met with the prime minister of Qatar, a country that mediates with Hamas. .

At a news conference, Netanyahu said Israel’s attack on Gaza helped broker a deal to partially release hostages in November. “The directive I’m giving the negotiating team is based on that pressure, without which we have nothing,” he said.

Netanyahu dodged a question about the Mossad chief’s meeting with Qatar’s prime minister, saying he would not divulge information to Hamas.

The Israeli prime minister also said that his country has received requests for a ceasefire, withdrawal of troops from Gaza, but “we will not do it”. Despite Qatar’s severe criticism, we are currently trying to complete the return of our hostages, he stressed at the press conference.