‘Hostage release deal closer than ever,’ defense minister says
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Monday that negotiations for a hostage deal with Hamas were at their peak and described the talks as “closer than ever” to reaching an agreement.
Speaking to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Katz noted that Hamas had shown flexibility on key points, including the Philadelphi and Netzarim corridors, which he said would not be obstacles to finalizing the deal.
“In my view, we are closer than ever to securing an additional hostage-release deal,” Katz said. He added that the process would occur in gradual phases and expressed confidence that the agreement would receive Cabinet approval. “It is best to speak as little as possible about it in public,” Katz cautioned.
Meanwhile, the Jerusalem District Court announced Monday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not be required to testify in his criminal trial as scheduled on Tuesday. The court provided no public explanation for the decision, stating only, “After hearing both sides and considering special circumstances, we have decided not to hold a court session tomorrow.”
Earlier Monday, a senior Hamas official told Saudi Arabia’s Asharq News that the group believed a deal involving “the exchange of prisoners and a cease-fire” was within reach, provided Netanyahu did not “disrupt the agreement.” The official claimed that Hamas and other Palestinian factions had demonstrated significant flexibility, agreeing to a phased end to the fighting and the withdrawal of Israeli forces according to a set timetable.
“The Gaza factions insist on a final end to the war, a full withdrawal of IDF forces from the Strip, the return of displaced Gazans to their homes and a respectful exchange of prisoners,” the official said. He emphasized that international mediators had advised keeping the details of the talks confidential to prevent Netanyahu from using them as a pretext to derail negotiations.
A source close to the discussions indicated that both the U.S. administration and President-elect Donald Trump were pressuring for a swift resolution, with hopes of reaching an agreement by the end of the year. “The factions are ready; the main issue is the Israeli position,” the source said.
Mohammad Nazzal, a member of Hamas’s political bureau, confirmed ongoing negotiations but warned it was too early to predict the outcome. He framed Hamas’ efforts as an attempt to overcome obstacles and end the fighting in Gaza.
Nazzal mocked President-elect Trump’s reported threats to intensify pressure if hostages were not released by January 20, the day of his inauguration. “Is there anything worse than the hell Gaza has experienced for over a year?” Nazzal said. He accused Israel of failing to secure significant results in prior hostage rescues, adding, “They recovered only a few bodies after they killed them.”
He insisted that both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration must recognize the demands of the Palestinian people and the “brave resistance.”
Source » ynetnews.com
