As heavy fighting continues inside the Gaza Strip, Israel is willing to consider a second temporary truce with Hamas militants to secure the release of additional hostages and ensure that more humanitarian aid reaches trapped Palestinian civilians, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Tuesday.

Speaking to the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank, Mr. Herzog said he wasn’t involved with the details of the negotiations, but confirmed that discussions were ongoing for a release of hostages, similar to one in late November that freed more than 100 Israelis and other foreign nationals abducted during Hamas’ October 7 terrorist rampage that resulted in the death of at least 1,200 people.

“Israel is willing to enter another humanitarian pause,” Mr. Herzog said. “If [Hamas leaders] refuse to go into any negotiations on prisoners and hostage releases and exchanges, we will continue as such with no limitations.”

As president, Mr. Herzog is Israel’s head of state with mainly ceremonial functions. He plays a role in forming a government, currently led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and his voice carries some weight in shaping Israeli public opinion and political debate.

Mr Herzog said it was up to Yahya Sinwar, the head of Hamas military operations in Gaza, and other leaders of the Palestinian group to make a hostage exchange happen.

“We want to bring the hostages back. This is a basic humanitarian duty, and that’s what people of morality do — bring them back home,” he said. “We will do whatever it takes through various means to bring them back home.”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.