Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an exclusive interview with Newsmax, stated that Israel is close to securing the release of 10 more living hostages from Hamas as part of a negotiated ceasefire deal.

Axar.az, citing Newsmax, reports that Netanyahu described the conditions of the 255 hostages taken on October 7, 2023, as “hell,” calling Hamas “monsters” for their treatment of captives.

According to Netanyahu, 50 hostages remain: 20 confirmed alive and 30 presumed dead. The deal under discussion would reportedly include releasing half of the living and half of the deceased, to finalize it within days.

He said the planned 60-day ceasefire could be used to pursue a longer-term resolution, but stressed it could end immediately if Hamas disarms.

Netanyahu also blamed Hamas for civilian deaths in Gaza, accusing them of using Palestinian civilians as human shields and preventing them from fleeing conflict zones. He claimed that some Palestinians are now resisting Hamas rule — a development he views as unprecedented and a sign that Israel’s military campaign is weakening the group.