FLASH
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The US is seeking a delay in the ground invasion of Israel to allow more time for hostage negotiations. The release of two Americans held by Hamas on Friday signaled the possible release of more than 200 people believed to have been kidnapped by the militant group after deadly attacks two weeks ago, CNN reports.
When US President Joe Biden was asked on Saturday if he was encouraging Israel to delay the invasion, he replied: "I'm talking to the Israelis."
Qatar, acting as a mediator for the US and Israel, has led discussions with Hamas over the release of the hostages since they were kidnapped by Hamas two weeks ago. According to a diplomat briefed on the talks, the negotiations have included talks about getting much-needed aid to Gaza and the need for a temporary ceasefire to get prisoners out. Israel has not indicated that it is considering a ceasefire.
Hamas does not appear to have gained anything concrete from Friday's release of Judith Tai and Natalie Raanan.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a statement on Saturday that it was prepared to release two "arrested individuals" which it identified by name. " The same procedures" used to release the Raanans will be used for the proposed new release , the statement said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office responded to the claim on Saturday evening, saying it would not comment on Hamas' "false propaganda," adding that Israel's government "will continue to do whatever is necessary to bring all the captives and the missing at home".
An official in the Israeli prime minister's office told CNN on Friday, after news of the Americans' release, that it may have been an attempt by Hamas to play down the Israeli military response.
"This (military) pressure will not go away because they were released. This will not change the mission, which is to dismantle Hamas, " the official said.
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