prisoner swap

Bereaved father:

Prisoner swap deal 'bitter death sentence for many Jews'

Eliyahu Libman, whose son was murdered on October 7, warns that a 'deal will be the State of Israel's official encouragement of more kidnappings.'

US officials: 'Prisoner swap' deal 'on brink of collapse'

US officials concerned that if talks for what they call a 'prisoner swap' deal with Hamas fail, Iran may attempt direct strike on Israel, escalating tensions throughout the Middle East.

Netanyahu promises:

Unclear if there will be a deal, we will not exit key corridors

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets families of fallen soldiers, hostages held in Gaza, says he will stand up to pressure to relinquish control of Philadelphi, Netzarim, corridors.

Bereaved families to PM:

For the sake of Israel's children - say NO to a reckless deal

Parents of fallen soldiers urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to say 'no' to a deal which will harm Israel's security. 'Look into the eyes of our children, make a deal - but not one that harms Israel's security.'

MK Benny Gantz avoids question on price of prisoner swap deal

MK Benny Gantz is asked whether he would agree to withdrawing the IDF from the Philadelphi Corridor - but avoids the question. 'Rafah was conquered in 45 minutes, we can do it again.'

US pressuring Egypt to station forces in Gaza after war's end

Egypt demanding ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas prior to discussions on placing Egyptian troops in Gaza following the war, official says.

Former Justice Minister:

Deal proposed today is 'the worst deal imaginable'

New prisoner swap deal would see just 20 living hostages released in exchange for long-term ceasefire, former Justice Minister Haim Ramon warns. 'Offer Hamas to end the war on condition that all the hostages return at once.'

Arab report:

Egypt agreed to delay withdrawal from Philadelphi Corridor

Israeli withdrawal no longer a precondition for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, report says.

Blinken to Herzog:

This may be the last chance to bring the hostages home

Israeli President Isaac Herzog meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, stresses: 'No one should attack Israel or meddle with our clear and inherent right of self defense.'

Likud estimates: Knesset will dissolve during winter session

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu estimates that if negotiations for prisoner swap fail, he will be able to approve it -even if Smotrich and Ben Gvir oppose.

Report:

Withdrawal from key corridor - decided in Biden-Netanyahu talks

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri calls US Pres. Joe Biden's belief that a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal is close 'delusional.'

PM's Office: 'Cautious optimism' regarding deal with Hamas

Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses 'cautious optimism' regarding chance of ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas, hope that 'heavy pressure' will lead terror group to remove opposition to US-proposed agreement.

Israel's compromise during the Doha summit

Israel has agreed to reduce veto on which terrorists are released, in exchange for an increased number of hostages released each week, report says.

Central sticking point:

Number of live hostages to be released in first stage of deal

Hamas insisting on releasing 'living or dead' hostages from 'humanitarian' group, Israel insists first stage of deal include 30 living hostages.

Hostages' relatives at the Knesset:

'Our loved ones' struggles must remain top priority'

Relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza hold protest in Knesset, demanding prisoner swap with Hamas.

New York Times: Netanyahu set new conditions for ceasefire deal

New York Times article claims Israel made five changes to the ceasefire-prisoner swap deal proposal - but details only two of them, neither a new demand.

Handwritten messages:

Where is Yahya Sinwar hiding?

'No one in Gaza knows the exact location of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar,' Hamas source tells Asharq Al-Awsat.

Report: Hezbollah under pressure to delay attack on Israel

Arab countries are pressuring Hezbollah to delay its attack until after Egypt summit on ceasefire-prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas.

Smotrich hits back:

US would reject a deal surrendering to Al Qaeda and bin Laden

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich responds to White House spokesman John Kirby's verbal attack, says he expects US to 'respect Israel's democracy, citizens, and politicians,' notes that hostage deal would 'abandon most hostages to death.'

Hamas' new demand for a prisoner swap deal

Hamas terror group announces that it will demand archterrorist Marwan Barghouti's release be included in the first stage of any agreed-upon prisoner swap deal, Sky News Arabic reports.

'He shouldn't interfere':

PM Netanyahu's response to Biden's conversation

Prime Minister's Office responds to reports that US Pres. Joe Biden expressed frustration at stalled prisoner swap talks.

Russia:

Jewish-American reporter Evan Gershkovich to be freed

Russia agrees to prisoner swap with US to free Evan Gershkovich, Wall Street Journal reporter who was arrested on espionage charges in Russia, and former US Marine Paul Whelan.

Report:

Jailed WSJ journalist may be released soon in prisoner swap

Massive prisoner swap with Russia, including Evan Gershkovich, could be underway.

Report: These are Israel's four new conditions for ceasefire deal

Israel has set four new conditions for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, Al Akhbar report claims.

Hamas:

No security inspections when residents of northern Gaza go home

Egypt insists Israel compromise on demand to control Philadelphi Corridor, Hamas insists Gazans returning to northern Gaza do so without security inspections, Reuters reports.

Report: Israel agreed to one of Hamas' key demands for deal

Israel has agreed to compromise on Philadelphi Corridor, Rafah Crossing, in proposed ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas terror group, report says.

Jerusalem:

Protest features 'terrorists with blood on their hands'

In a display produced by young members of the Religious Zionist party, the 'terrorists' stood in front of banners reading 'a released prisoner today is a terorrist tomorrow.'

Defense Minister:

'Limited window of opportunity' for prisoner swap deal

IDF's military achievements during the war have created conditions, limited window of opportunity, to establish framework for the release of the hostages, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says.

Chief Rabbi's ruling:

Releasing terrorists 'permitted' in order to free hostages

Outgoing Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef calls for government to sign prisoner swap deal, claiming 'there is no choice - release terrorists with blood on their hands.'

Egypt believes war in Gaza will continue until US elections

Fighting in Gaza may continue until end of 2024, steps should be taken to secure Egypt-Gaza border, Egyptian source says.

White House meeting:

Commitment to Israel's security, preventing nuclear Iran

US officials Jake Sullivan and Antony Blinken, and Israeli officials Ron Dermer and Tzachi Hanegbi meet to discuss war in Gaza, efforts to secure diplomatic solution to Hezbollah conflict, allow Israelis and Lebanese to return home safely.

Report: Egypt to present detailed vision for Philadelphi Corridor

Egypt open to smuggling-prevention obstacle on Gazan side of Rafah Crossing, worried escalation in fighting could topple negotiations, report says.

Fmr. Shin Bet official warns:

The one terrorist who will be the next Sinwar if released

Former Shin Bet official and Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) member Yossi Amrosi warned that Israel may not release Abdullah Barghouti, who is serving 66 life sentences, at any cost.

Israeli journalist:

Hamas set a condition that will leave most hostages captive

Journalist Yaron Avraham explains Hamas' problematic condition for prisoner swap deal, adds: 'Israel cannot agree to this condition.'

Smotrich on prisoner swap:

Isn't it time to start listening to us?

Journalist asks Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich why the public should listen to his warnings about a potential prisoner swap deal, instead of to the other side. Smotrich: 'Because for 30 years, what I've said has turned out to be correct.'

Hostages' families warn:

Proposed prisoner swap deal will leave most hostages in Gaza

Hostages families, members of the Tikva Forum, call to reject proposed prisoner swap deal, warn that agreeing to it will harm their loved ones.

Hamas waiting for Israel's response to ceasefire offer

According to Hamas' offer, the hostages will be released before the end of the fifth week of the second stage, and only after the IDF withdraws its forces.

Israeli source: We're on the brink of a deal with Hamas

Israel will evacuate Rafah Crossing, proposed deal allows Israel to return to fighting if Hamas violates conditions, reports say.

WSJ: As few as 50 hostages may still be alive

Sources say up to 66 of the hostages still in Gaza may be dead, possibly only 50 still alive.

Report: Hamas rejected hostage deal

Hamas will announce that it rejects Israeli offer for ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, Saudi newspaper reports.

Arab report: Israel to agree to prisoner swap deal

Prisoner swap deal could take effect next week, if all goes as planned; Egypt worries that Israel will refuse to commit to a ceasefire.

'No section for ending war':

Netanyahu and Ben Gvir discuss Biden proposal

PM Netanyahu to present Min. Itamar Ben Gvir with draft of Biden ceasefire proposal, sources say.

Prisoner swap deal:

Hamas demanding US guarantees, clarity on ceasefire

Hamas will not agree to any prisoner swap deal which does not guarantee a permanent ceasefire, is demanding US provide guarantees that Israel will hold fire.

Hostages' families demand:

Hamas must present list of living hostages prior to any deal

Hamas must present list of living hostages and Red Cross must be allowed to treat hostages, if there is to be a prisoner swap deal, Tikva Forum for hostages' families says.

Israel: No ceasefire without a deal

'Yahya Sinwar is trying to create a ceasefire by force, and it will not happen,' official familiar with prisoner swap negotiations tells Ynet.

Report:

Egypt banking on Israeli internal pressure forcing a ceasefire

Egypt does not believe Israel is interested in ending the war, has proposals which will increase diplomatic pressure on Israel, Al Akhbar report says.

Father of hostage reveals:

Yesh Atid MK admitted Netanyahu isn't preventing a hostage swap

Zvika Mor, father of hostage Eitan Mor, reveals admission by Yesh Atid's MK Meir Cohen that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not preventing a prisoner swap deal from taking place.

Qatar: Significant differences between Israel and Hamas

Israel has not been clear about how to end the war, causing negotiations to freeze, Qatari Pres. Al Thani claims.

Israeli official: Hamas proposal is unacceptable

New proposal includes demand for Israel to release re-arrested 'Shalit deal' terrorists; senior Israeli official tells Reuters that Hamas' counteroffer to the Egyptian proposal is unacceptable to Israel, and Israel will rethink its next steps.

'Significant discrepancies'

These are the changes Hamas made in its new offer

The new hostage deal proposal would free Hamas of its commitment to release 33 living women, children, elderly, and ailing hostages, and allow dead hostages to be released in their place.

Israeli officials:

US knew about changes to ceasefire deal - but didn't brief Israel

'The feeling is that Israel got played' by the US and mediators during the latest round of negotiations, Israeli officials tell journalist Barak Ravid.

US officials: Hamas counteroffer has 'minor wording changes'

Changes to approved ceasefire-prisoner swap deal were made by Arab negotiators in consultation with CIA chief; first stage of hostage release would include less than 33 living hostages, report says.

Negotiations ongoing

Israeli source: If Hamas agrees to deal, Rafah evacuation ends

Evacuation of Rafah pressures Hamas to agree to proposed prisoner swap deal, Israel will end evacuation if Hamas caves, diplomatic source says.

PM's Office responds:

Hamas, not Netanyahu, torpedoed hostage deal talks

'Hamas torpedoed the deal, with its refusal to budge on conditions that no Israeli government would accept,' Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says, negating words of Hamas' Moussa Abu Marzouk and the Israeli official who backed him.

Hamas official claims: Netanyahu's statements caused deal to fail

Moussa Abu Marzouk, Hamas official who claimed civilians were 'exempt' from the Oct. 7 massacre, claims to NYT that the impasse in negotiations was caused by PM Netanyahu's promise to topple Hamas battalions in Rafah. Israeli official offers support to Abu Marzouk's claims.

Israeli sources:

If Hamas insists on remaining in power - there will be no deal

Israel may accept a deal that ends the war - if Hamas leaders agree to exile from Gaza, report says.

Report: Hamas agreed to Egyptian ceasefire proposal

Asharq Al-Awsat claims Israel removed opposition to releasing certain terrorists, US guaranteed full withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the war.

Families of hostages:

'Every citizen needs to know: 'Never Again' is now'

On the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day, families of hostages push Israeli government to approve a prisoner swap deal with Hamas - no matter what the price.

Are Israel and Hamas nearing a deal?

Senior sources say Israeli delegation will set out 'only if there is a response from Hamas that shows there is potential for negotiations.'

Diplomatic source: 'A deal will mean the end of the war'

If the US promises in Israel's name that the war with Hamas will not resume following a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, Israel will be forced into a clash with the US - or forced to lose the war, source warns.