There’s Significant Progress Toward Hostage Deal; Israeli Minister : “The War Will End”

Reports from Israel indicate significant progress in the negotiations for a hostage deal, which are being carried out in cooperation between Biden administration envoys and President-elect Trump’s special envoy, with the goal of reaching an agreement by January 20, the date Trump is inaugurated.

According to reports, Israel and the mediators have reached a final draft of the deal, which is now being presented to Hamas leadership, expected to respond in the near future.

Details of the deal have not been released, but in Israel, some believe that the deal could lead to a partial end of the military operation in Gaza, allow Gazan residents to return to their homes, and expand humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, there is opposition within the government to the deal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who met with Prime Minister Netanyahu yesterday, was not convinced and announced this morning that he will not support the agreement.

Smotrich said: “The emerging deal is a disaster for Israel’s national security. We will not be part of a surrender deal that will release terrorists, stop the fighting, and harm the achievements made at the cost of many lives, while putting hostages at risk.”

Smotrich added: “Now is the time to continue the operation, to conquer and cleanse the entire Gaza Strip, take control of humanitarian aid from Hamas, and apply pressure until Hamas completely surrenders and all hostages are returned.”