Israeli PM tells negotiators to 'continue the steps' for release of Gaza hostages

JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday instructed Israeli negotiators to "continue the steps" for the release of hostages still held in Gaza, his office said, as efforts to revive the ceasefire appeared to be stalled.

"The prime minister issued an instruction for the continuation of the steps to advance the release of our hostages," the office said in a statement.

The statement followed an assessment meeting on the 59 hostages who are still being held in Gaza with the negotiating team and the heads of the security establishment.

On Monday, Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that Egyptian and Qatari negotiators have presented to Hamas a new deal proposal that includes the release of about 10 hostages and a temporary truce. Hamas said in a statement that it was studying the proposal.