Israeli foreign minister says Gaza war could end if hostages are freed, Hamas lays down arms

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Sunday that the war in Gaza could end if hostages were released and Palestinian militant group Hamas laid down its weapons. His statements during a press conference with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Jerusalem come a day after Hamas repeated its long-standing position that it would free all hostages if Israel agreed to an end to the war and withdraw its troops from Gaza city. Mr Saar said the “current attempts to recognise a Palestinian state are a huge mistake, which harms the chances of achieving peace.” “Europe is facing security and strategic challenges. It needs Israel as much as Israel needs Europe.”