Israel estimates that Hamas is willing to compromise on several points of disagreement in the hostage deal negotiations, an Israeli official said on Saturday. “Hamas is showing a certain degree of willingness to make compromises, but they’re not fools,” the official said. They want to see this kind of willingness from Israel as well. … Read more
US President Joe Biden, while speaking to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their Tuesday phone call, reportedly told the latter that the time was right for a hostage deal. “We have an opportunity now – let’s get the hostages out,” Biden reportedly said. Biden’s conversation with Netanyahu took place shortly after Israel’s security cabinet … Read more
Sources in the security establishment have not ruled out the possibility that a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, in a manner that binds the Lebanese terror organization, could lead to a breakthrough in negotiations with Hamas for the release of hostages, Walla reported on Tuesday. Such a deal could reportedly include … Read more
The military pressure placed on Hamas and its allies has brought the possibility of achieving a deal to return the hostages closer than ever before, according to a senior security official. According to recent assessments by security officials, out of the 101 hostages, approximately 50 are believed to still be alive, including some foreign … Read more
Incoming White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Walla on Saturday that President-elect Donald Trump plans to implement tougher sanctions on Iran, take a hard stance on terrorism, and reinforce support for Israel. “President Trump will be America’s negotiator-in-chief and will prioritize bringing innocent hostages back home,” she said. Israeli families of hostages and officials … Read more
Turkey, like any other country, should pressure Hamas to release the Gaza hostages, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters amid speculation that Ankara could become a mediator for a hostage deal. “When it comes to using influence with Hamas to secure the release of hostages, we would welcome any country playing that … Read more
On November 8 reports emerged that Qatar, which has hosted Hamas since 2012, might be asking the group to leave. Hamas leaders have resided in comfort in Qatar and they have an office there. Hamas was a much weaker group when it moved to Qatar in 2012. It grew exponentially more powerful in Gaza, … Read more
The US has told Qatar that the presence of Hamas in Doha is no longer acceptable in the weeks since the Palestinian militant group rejected the latest proposal to achieve a ceasefire and a hostage deal, a senior administration official told Reuters on Friday. “After rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should … Read more
Hamas is expected to reject any renewed effort to finalize a hostage agreement until such time as the war in Gaza ends, a security source told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday. “It’s very clear that the hostage deal will only happen” when the war comes to a close, the source said. Israel and the … Read more
Top US officials, including CIA Director William Burns and envoys Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, will visit Egypt and Israel on Thursday, the White House confirmed, as Washington seeks to de-escalate tensions in the region. CENTCOM’s commander, US Army General Erik Kurilla, is also in the region and will visit Israel as part of … Read more
