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Sunday, August 10, 2025
High Court orders government to respond to petition demanding it explain hostage negotiation policies
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
The High Court of Justice orders the government to respond to a petition demanding that it explain its policy regarding negotiations for the release of the hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.
The petition was filed by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and requests that the court order the government to explain its various considerations when weighing whether to accept a deal for obtaining the release of the hostages.
“The principle essence of the petition is the demand that the government provide a detailed justification for its policy [on the issue of negotiations for the return of the hostages] so that it can stand up to the test of the public,” writes Judge Chaled Kabub.
The judge therefore instructs the government to submit a response to the petition detailing how governmental discretion is exercised “in all matters relating to determining the conditions for ending the war and releasing the hostages.”
Kabub gives the government until August 24 to file its response.
The Times of Israel Community.