Israel’s Defense Chief Says Hostage Deal ‘Closer Than Ever’

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz told lawmakers in parliament on Monday that Jerusalem is “closer than ever” to reaching a deal that would free hostages in Gaza.

“Israel is closer than ever to another hostage deal,” Katz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, according to Israeli media reports. “There’s flexibility on the other side. They understand we’re not going to end the war.”

Katz reportedly added that “it is better to talk less” about ongoing negotiations but noted that at no point has an agreement been more in reach since November 2023, when Israel and Hamas reached a brief ceasefire during which over 100 hostages were released.

His comments were made during discussions behind closed doors that were subsequently leaked to Hebrew-language press.

According to the reports, Katz predicted that the deal on the table will be supported by most of Israel’s governing coalition and likely not be blocked.

Separately, an anonymous senior Hamas official told the Saudi news outlet Asharq that both sides were closing in on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.

“We are closer than ever to reaching a prisoner exchange deal and a ceasefire, provided that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu does not obstruct the agreement,” the official said.

Israel Hayom also reported that progress has been made in the talks, citing Israeli officials. One source familiar with the negotiations told the news outlet that a hostages-for-ceasefire deal could be completed by the Jewish festival of Hanukkah later this month, with its implementation spread over an extended period.

Hamas-led Palestinian terrorists kidnapped over 250 hostages during their invasion of and massacre across southern Israel last Oct. 7, dragging the captives into neighboring Gaza. Israel responded to the onslaught with an ongoing military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.

For months, the US, Egypt, and Qatar have unsuccessfully tried to broker a ceasefire and hostage-release deal between the two sides. In recent days, however, there have been signs that stalled negotiations might be revived and a breakthrough is possible.

Since Hamas’s invasion last year, 109 of the 251 hostages have been released, mostly during the week-long truce in late November 2023. Eight others have been rescued alive, and the bodies of 38 have been recovered.

Israel believes 100 hostages remain in Gaza, including 96 who were kidnapped last Oct. 7, and at least a third of them have been declared dead by the Israeli military.

Katz told his US counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a phone call last week that there was a real chance to reach a deal to release all the remaining hostages held in Gaza, including those with American citizenship.

Earlier this month, US President-elect Donald Trump vowed there will be “all hell to pay” in the Middle East if Hamas does not release all of the remaining hostages in Gaza before his inauguration next month.

Trump and Netanyahu reportedly discussed a potential ceasefire and hostage deal over the weekend.

“We will continue to act relentlessly to return home all of our hostages, the living and the deceased. Let me add that the less we discuss this the better, and so, with God’s help, we will succeed,” Netanyahu said in a statement on Sunday.

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