Defense minister tells MKs hostage deal ‘closer than ever’ — reports

Defense Minister Israel Katz has reportedly told Knesset lawmakers that Israel is closer to a deal than ever to a deal freeing hostages in Gaza, bolstering media reports of heavy optimism on the chances for an agreement soon.

Katz’s comments to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee were made behind closed doors but leaks of his remarks are reported widely in the Hebrew press.

“Israel is closer than ever to another hostage deal,” Katz is quoted saying, adding that the less said about it the better.

Nonetheless, Katz predicts that the deal on the table will be backed by most of the coalition and should not face internal obstacles, Walla reports.

He seemingly indicates that the deal will not include an open-ended halt to hostilities, a measure sought by Hamas but opposed by many in Netanyahu’s hard-right coalition.

“There’s flexibility on the other side. They understand we’re not going to end the war,” he is quoted saying.