prisoner swap

Israeli official:

Hamas more willing to compromise, wants 'flexibility' from Israel

'Hamas wants to push for a deal, but they want Israel to show more flexibility,' Israeli source tells journalist Barak Ravid.

Egypt's proposal:

Temporary ceasefire with hostage release

Egyptian intelligence delegation proposes ceasefire-prisoner swap deal lasting one or two months and including hostage release, talks to end war.

Diplomatic sources: Qatar no longer acting as mediator

Qatar has agreed to the US demand to remove Hamas officials from its territory; Hamas denies report.

Hamas rejects proposal for short-term ceasefire

Hamas terror group 'refuses temporary ceasefire but supports any proposal which will lead to a permanent end to the war,' official tells Al Hadath.

Sources: Intense efforts underway to secure prisoner swap deal

Egypt expects progress in ceasefire-prisoner swap deal to lower tensions in region, report says.

Israeli official:

'Qatar has become more significant in the negotiations'

Israeli source says that after Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar's death, Qatar holds the keys to a prisoner swap deal and the ability to pressure Hamas.

Report:

Israeli proposal for prisoner swap offers an end to the war

Israel has presented the US with a plan to release the hostages, end the war, and allow Hamas leaders to safely leave Gaza.

Prime Minister's Office:

Despite the pressure, we agreed to all the US offers

'Whoever wants to help the efforts to free our hostages must pressure the murderer, Sinwar, and not the Prime Minister of Israel.'

Haredi MK tells hostages' families:

There was a proposal for a unity government - it's off the table

In first, MK Moshe Gafni speaks about the discourse regarding a unity government, reveals that the proposal is no longer relevant.

Gantz to Blinken: Support Israel in increasing pressure on Hamas

Minister Benny Gantz speaks with US Sec of State Antony Blinken, thanking him for the US' support in crafting a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal and urging the world to support placing pressure on Hamas.

Arab source: Hamas didn't toughen its positions

Hamas is demanding that a higher number of high-profle terrorists with blood on their hands be released in a prisoner swap deal - even in exchange for 'humanitarian' hostages.

This is Hamas' new demand for a ceasefire deal

Washington Post reports Hamas is demanding a last-minute change in prisoner swap-ceasefire deal; 'take it or leave it' proposal 'indefinitely' delayed.

US admits: Hamas toughening up its position

US official says Hamas' positions are becoming less flexible, terror group's demands are different than they were several months ago.

Families of hostages pressuring Biden to make unilateral deal

Families of Americans held hostage in Gaza pressuring Biden administration to work towards unilateral deal with Hamas terror group, NBC reports.

US official:

Nothing in ceasefire agreement mentions Philadelphi Corridor

Disagreement between Israel and Gaza focuses on 'densely populated' areas, Hamas threatening to execute additional hostages, report says.

National Security Min.:

'I'm working to end negotiations with Hamas'

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir says he is working to end negotiations for a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal with Hamas. 'Negotiations only create more and more terror.'

Hamas demanding cessation of 'aggression,' IDF withdraw from Gaza

Senior Hamas official said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is preventing a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal, says deal must include Israeli withdrawal, ability for Hamas to regroup.

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.