UPDATE - Israeli premier says return of hostages held in Gaza will take place in stages

CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE, ADDS MORE DETAILS

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said late Tuesday that the return of hostages held in the Gaza Strip will take place in stages under a tentative deal reached with the Palestinian group Hamas.

“We are at war, and the war will continue until all our goals are achieved," Netanyahu said in a speech ahead of a Cabinet meeting to discuss the proposed hostage deal and a four-day cease-fire with the group.

"Before us is a difficult decision but the right one," he said about the deal, which includes the release of 50 Israelis held by Hamas in exchange for 150 Palestinians held in Israeli jails, according to Israeli media.

"We will not rest until everyone is returned. The war has stages, and the return of the hostages will have stages," he added.

Netanyahu noted that he recently spoke by phone with US President Joe Biden to request his intervention in order to help improve the terms of the deal, which he said has been achieved in order to release “the largest number of hostages for the least price.”

He also noted that a cease-fire "will make it easier for the army to continue the war," adding "I confirm that the war will continue until all goals are achieved, which is eliminating Hamas and returning all the kidnapped."

Israel estimates that at least 239 Israelis are being held by Hamas.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has soared to 14,128, the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave said Tuesday.

“The victims include over 5,840 children and 3,920 women,” the ministry added in a statement.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel’s air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

*Mahmoud Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara