Israel’s foreign minister expressed optimism on Wednesday about reaching a ceasefire and hostage-release deal in Gaza, saying it is ‘achievable’ and added that if a temporary truce is sealed, Israel would negotiate on a permanent end to the hostilities. “Israel is serious in its will to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire. I believe it’s achievable. If a temporary ceasefire is achieved, we will negotiate on a permanent ceasefire,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told a press conference in Bratislava with his Slovakian counterpart.
Sa’ar said Israel would negotiate a permanent ceasefire with Hamas in the Gaza Strip if an agreement is reached on a temporary truce.
“If a temporary ceasefire is reached, we are willing to negotiate a permanent one,” Sa’ar said while speaking at a joint press conference in Bratislava alongside his Slovak counterpart Juraj Blanár.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has until now refused to enter talks over an end to the Gaza war until Hamas is defeated.
“Israel is serious in its intent to reach a hostage deal and a ceasefire in Gaza. I believe it is achievable,” Sa’ar added pointing to the fact that Israel “sent a delegation to negotiate in Doha and said yes to [United States] Special Envoy [Steve] Witkoff’s proposal,” which would see a 60-day truce in exchange for the release of about half of the hostages in Gaza in its first phase.
Indirect ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas are going on this week in Doha, in parallel to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where Israel and the US are intensifying efforts to reach a deal.
Sa’ar emphasised that “Hamas still holds 50 of our hostages” and that the war “can end tomorrow if Hamas releases them and lays down its weapons.”
Trending Stories
)
Pakistani Lashkar terrorist infiltrates to set up sleeper cells, gets hair transplant done in Srinagar
)
‘Clock is ticking for Iran, there won’t be anything left of them,’ says Trump in new warning
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Does cruise control really save fuel?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Ceasefire on life support': Is US-Iran war about to reignite?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Trump breaks silence on report of Pakistan allowing Iran spy aircraft at Nur Khan base amid mediation talks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘100+ km/h penalty’: How much extra fuel do cars use at high speeds?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Half-tank rule’: Does keeping your fuel tank full improve mileage?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
36,000-pound thrust: 5 ways China's J-20 fighter jet's new engine can completely changes the aerial balance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Ebola outbreak declared 'international health emergency' by WHO: Is it a pandemic? WION Decodes
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Sleep Deprived': How the USS Abraham Lincoln crew survives endless night operations
)
Rajinikanth breaks silence on Vijay becoming Tamil Nadu CM, says friendship with MK Stalin is beyond politics
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Indians at Cannes 2026: Alia Bhatt, Aditi Rao Hydari, Huma Qureshi and others stun on the global red carpet
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Does turning off the radio and headlights actually save fuel?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Automatic cars vs manuals’: Which uses more fuel?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Petrol vs diesel: Which car engine really saves more money in daily driving?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
What is the ideal car speed for maximum fuel savings?
)
2 US fighter jets collide mid-air, crash during air show at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base | Video
)
How a Norwegian conglomerate preserved the taste of South India and turned it global
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Does parking in the shade prevent fuel evaporation in the summer?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
What are Chola copper plates that Netherlands returned to PM Modi? FULL LIST of other artefacts brought back to India since 2014
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (May 18-24, 2026): System, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, Desi Bling- 6 movies and shows coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Netherlands to return 11th-century Chola copper plates to India during PM Modi’s visit
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Night Vision': Why the USS Abraham Lincoln bans white flashlights on deck
)
India's Green Mirage: Northeast is quietly losing its forest cover while India celebrates gains
)
Why Swedes still sing Rabindrasangeet more than a century later
)
Netanyahu-Trump talks fuel fears of renewed Iran strikes amid reports of Op Sledgehammer: Will the war start again?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How did all four US Navy pilots survive horrific midair fighter jet crash? What led to the collision?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Flight Deck Boots': Why USS Abraham Lincoln sailors wear extremely heavy shoes
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Indian rupee becomes Asia’s worst-performing currency- Who else is on the list?
)
US assesses possible Cuba drone threat amid rising tensions: Report
)
‘Silence of virgin girl counts as consent’: Taliban formally recognises child marriage
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Hydraulic Arms': How the USS Abraham Lincoln pops up its emergency net
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Does regular servicing actually improve your car’s fuel economy?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters fastest to 14,000 T20 runs
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Iran's new 'vessel declaration' rule': What it means for global oil shipping
)
Raaka director Atlee Kumar and wife Priya Atlee reveal baby girl’s name; here’s its meaning
)
From weapons to wheels: Sweden’s deepening ‘Make in India’ partnership
)
'Made in Pakistan' fan donated to UP madrasa triggers probe
He denied the allegation of Israel pointlessly prolonging the war and said, “We are committed to our war objectives—but war itself is not our objective. We always prefer to achieve our goals through diplomatic means. But it must be clear: Hamas is not only responsible for initiating this war but also for its continuation. Pressure must be applied to Hamas.”
