Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided not to send back to Cairo the Israeli delegation that had participated in the recent negotiations on a potential new hostage deal. Netanyahu said, "This week we freed two of our hostages in a careful military operation. So far we have freed 112 of our hostages with a combination of strong military pressure and firm negotiations. This is also the key to the release of the rest of our hostages: strong military pressure and very firm negotiations." "I insist that Hamas drop their delusional demands - and when they drop these demands we can move forward," he added. Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office stated, "In Cairo, Israel was not given any new proposal by Hamas for the release of our hostages. Prime Minister Netanyahu insists that Israel will not give in to the delusional demands of Hamas. A change in Hamas' positions will allow progress in negotiations." Kan News reported that the decision not to send a team to Cairo was made without consultation with the members of the War Cabinet, Ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot. Related articles: Remains of hostage Manny Goddard found in Gaza Israel demanding 10 living hostages; Hamas insists on only 5 Hamas publishes additional video of hostage Elkana Bohbot Hamas in talks to release hostages for Eid al-Fitr ceasefire Earlier, Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas sent a special request to Hamas through the Arabic Wafa news site, urging them to agree to a prisoner swap with Israel. Abbas called on Hamas to quickly reach a prisoner swap agreement, in order to "prevent deportation and suffering for the Palestinian nation, and in order to distance IDF forces from Rafah." Turning to all those involved in the negotiations, Abbas urged that "all sides take responsibility for the failure to reach a deal until now."
