A senior Israeli official indicated on Monday evening, during a discussion with Ynet, that conditions may soon align for a possible agreement with Hamas to secure the release of hostages, suggesting it could happen within “a week or two.” Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister’s Office had urged caution, seeking to lower expectations. However, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar offered a more optimistic perspective, stating: “We’re not there yet, but I hope we’ll get there.”
Meanwhile, sources close to a prominent Hamas leader reported progress in the ongoing discussions. Hamas is believed to have conditionally agreed to a step-by-step approach to reducing violence. The suggested plan involves a phased Israeli withdrawal, where Israeli forces would retreat from Rafah and other urban areas within six to eight weeks of a cease-fire being implemented. Subsequent talks would focus on a permanent truce and the liberation of Israeli hostages.
Reports claim that Hamas has handed over to Egyptian mediators a list of Israeli hostages confirmed to be alive. The group is now awaiting Israel’s response to their demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners, including some high-profile detainees.
As these developments unfold, outgoing U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is scheduled to visit Israel on Thursday. According to an earlier report by Ynet, Sullivan’s agenda will include discussions with Israeli officials on pressing matters such as the cease-fire in Lebanon, rising tensions in Syria, and negotiations surrounding the Gaza hostage crisis.
Speaking to international media in Yerushalayim, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reiterated Israel’s firm stance: “The hostages must return before Israel agrees to end the fighting. There will be no ceasefire in Gaza without a deal.” While confirming that indirect talks are underway, he warned against jumping to conclusions prematurely.
“I don’t want to say things that will harm the negotiations, but indirect negotiations are taking place. We can be more optimistic than before, but we’re not there yet. I hope we’ll get there. We are serious in our desire to reach a hostage deal, which will be tied to a cease-fire in Gaza. There will be no cease-fire in Gaza without a hostage deal. We are working to achieve this, and I hope we succeed,” Sa’ar stated.
At the same time, reports have emerged suggesting that Palestinian factions holding Israeli captives in Gaza have been instructed by Hamas to compile detailed dossiers on their prisoners. According to the Saudi broadcaster Al-Sharq, Hamas has directed groups such as Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front, and the Popular Resistance Committees to document information about the hostages under their custody.
A Hamas source explained to Al-Sharq that coordinating between various groups holding hostages would be difficult without a cessation of Israeli military activity and the removal of restrictions on movement within Gaza. The source added that any meaningful resolution would require a halt to bombings and sufficient time for factions to locate all captives, both alive and deceased, without the interference of drones.
Efforts to mediate have reportedly intensified, with Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey playing key roles. Indirect negotiations are expected to begin in the coming days, though Israeli officials have expressed skepticism. The Hostage Directorate in the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement to the families of hostages, clarifying: “In recent hours, various reports have been published in the Arab media about negotiations for the return of the hostages. These reports, which are also being circulated in Israel, are not accurate.”
Last week, a senior Egyptian official outlined a peace proposal to Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth. This plan suggests a gradual de-escalation of hostilities in Gaza, paired with an Israeli withdrawal from the Rafah crossing, under a temporary cease-fire lasting approximately 60 days. The official referred to this period as a “test phase” to determine whether the plan could pave the way for “the end of the conflict between the sides.”
The proposal includes initiating the return of surviving Israeli hostages roughly one week into the cease-fire, along with the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under mutually agreed-upon conditions. During this 60-day period, Israel would retain a military presence in Gaza. The plan also addresses Hamas’ request for the return of Palestinian refugees to northern Gaza.
As for the Rafah crossing, the plan suggests transferring its oversight to the Palestinian Authority. Discussions have also included the possibility of Israel maintaining surveillance through cameras. Furthermore, the Egyptian official mentioned the creation of a joint management committee comprising representatives from the West Bank and Gaza, along with 10 to 15 independent Palestinian technocrats, supervised by American officials.
{Matzav.com Israel}