Prime Minister Netanyahu met at noon on Tuesday with family members of hostages, signaling that a deal for their release and a potential ceasefire in Gaza could be near.
Ynet reported that the Israeli Justice Ministry has started preparing lists of Palestinian prisoners to be released as part of an agreement. Netanyahu's office has instructed all relevant ministries to prepare for the possibility of receiving the hostages.
Where has Netanyahu compromised?
- Netanyahu had repeatedly stated that he would not agree to a complete military withdrawal from Gaza until Hamas’ military capabilities were fully destroyed. He also conditioned any deal on Israel maintaining security control over the Philadelphi Corridor (along the Gaza-Egypt border, to prevent arms smuggling) and the Nezarim Corridor (between southern and northern Gaza, to block Hamas fighters from moving freely).
- The emerging draft deal outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza’s urban areas. Initially, the Israeli military is expected to leave the Nezarim Corridor, followed by the Philadelphi Corridor. Security arrangements for these areas remain unclear.
- Israel initially demanded a two-kilometer buffer zone along Gaza’s northern and eastern borders, but according to the BBC, Netanyahu has agreed to an 800-meter zone. Israeli troops will remain in the buffer zone until the deal is completed.
- Israel dropped its demand for a list of hostages confirmed alive before the deal's implementation. Reports suggest that most of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase include young women, female soldiers, elderly men, children and those who are injured or sick. Male soldiers and young men will be freed in subsequent phases.
Israel has reportedly agreed to release between 1,000 and 1,300 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Among them, 190 are classified as “heavy prisoners,” having served long sentences of over 15 years. No prisoners involved in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel will be released.
Under Israeli law, the Justice Ministry must publish the prisoner list 48 hours before the deal's implementation, allowing Israelis to petition against specific releases. However, courts have historically upheld the government’s decisions in such matters.
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