Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering removing Shin Bet director Ronen Bar from the hostage negotiating team, Channel 12 reports.
Another senior Shin Bet official would replace Bar, according to the outlet.
The move would follow Netanyahu’s placing Strategic Affairs Minister and close ally Ron Dermer at the head of the team, replacing Mossad chief David Barnea.
A senior Israeli official does not directly deny the report, telling The Times of Israel that, “as of now, there is no change to the make-up of the negotiating team.”
Meanwhile, Channel 13 reports that Netanyahu met with Bar over the weekend, and in a tense conversation informed him that he intends to change the negotiating team. Officials in the building tell the outlet that Bar left the meeting visibly upset.
Israel and the US are kicking off efforts to move toward the second phase of the hostage release deal today, with a meeting between Netanyahu and US Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff.
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