Negotiations so far more effective than rescues in bringing Israeli hostages home from Gaza
Israel's military has rescued its eighth hostage from Gaza, a 52-year-old man found in an underground room in a tunnel in southern Gaza
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's military has rescued its eighth hostage from Gaza since the 10-month-old war began.
While the rescue Tuesday set off celebrations, it also renewed calls from the families of hostages who are still being held in Gaza for a deal that would bring home their loved ones before it's too late. They say an agreement, not military rescues, is the best hope.
International mediators have tried for months to broker a deal that would see scores of hostages still held by Hamas exchanged for Palestinian prisoners and a cease-fire. But Israel and Hamas cannot agree on key portions of the deal.
Of some 250 hostages taken by Hamas militants in the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war, around 105 were released in a cease-fire last November. Israel says 108 remain in Gaza, at least 36 of whom are believed dead.
