Security cabinet probing ‘new ideas’ for hostage deal, Netanyahu aide says as meeting ends

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson says “new ideas” regarding a deal to free hostages held in Gaza were discussed by high-level officials overnight.

The spokesperson says in a statement the discussions were held during a high-level security cabinet meeting, which has now wrapped up, some eight hours after it was scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.

“During the meeting, new ideas were brought up to examine their feasibility for a hostage release proposal,” the statement reads.

An Israeli official told ToI ahead of the meeting, held in the Kirya Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv, that Jerusalem was looking for an opportunity to wrap up the war in Gaza with a hostage deal following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

The official described Sinwar’s body as “another bargaining chip” in negotiations.

Netanyahu’s office declined to confirm that was the case, saying instead, “We will not end the war until we achieve all of our goals.”

“We are continuing to pressure Hamas militarily,” a PMO official said earlier. “You can see the effects in Jabaliya. We are continuing to kill Hamas members. We are pushing for a psychological collapse.”

An Israeli official told ToI ahead of the meeting that it would deal with Israel’s response to Iran, as well as a drone attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home, fighting in Lebanon and Gaza, and opportunities for progress on a hostage deal following Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar’s trip to Cairo for talks.