‘Strong Chance’ of Hostage Deal, Israeli, US Officials Say

The United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Israel are nearing an agreement on a deal that could temporarily halt hostilities in Gaza and secure the return of the hostages, US and Israeli officials said on Sunday. 

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told CNN in an interview that representatives from the four countries met in Paris and “came to an understanding about what the basic contours for a hostage deal and for a temporary ceasefire would look like.”

Israeli lawmaker on Sunday Aryeh Deri told the Kikar HaShabbat news site that there was a “strong chance” that a hostage deal would happen but that it would take time. According to Deri, Hamas had not yet responded to the terms of the deal. 

Meanwhile, the state-affiliated Egyptian Al Qahera News network on Sunday reported that talks were continuing in Doha and “would be followed by meetings in Cairo.” 

Sullivan expressed his hope that “in the coming days” there would be a final agreement on the table. 

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stopped short of confirming that a deal was on the offing and said that that for the discussions to progress, Hamas must adopt a more “reasonable” stance. 

In a separate statement to CBS News, Netanyahu discussed Israel’s strategic military considerations, including plans for civilian evacuation in Gaza and military actions against Hamas forces, indicating that these plans would proceed regardless of the negotiation outcomes.

“If we have a deal, it will be delayed somewhat, but it will happen. If we don’t have a deal, we’ll do it anyway,” he told CBS “Face the Nation.”

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri responded by saying that Netanyahu’s comments proved the Israeli leader “is not concerned about reaching an agreement.” 

Netanyahu wants “to pursue negotiation under bombardment and the bloodshed” of Palestinians in Gaza, Abu Zuhri told Reuters. 

Separately on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces announced the death of soldier Sgt. Oz Daniel, 19, who was killed on October 7 along with the rest of his tank crew and his body taken to Gaza. His body is still being held by Hamas.

It marked the fourth IDF death announced over the weekend. Staff-Sgt. Narya Belete, 21, a soldier in the elite Givati reconnaissance unit, Staff-Sgt. Eli Zrihen, 20, from the same unit, and Major Eyal Shuminov, a 24-year-old company commander in the Shaked Battalion of the Givati Brigade, were all killed in Gaza on Saturday, the IDF said.   

A statement by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum noted that Daniel was a skilled guitar player who loved the rock band Guns N’ Roses who “loved life, loved people, had a great sense of humor and a contagious smile.”

He left behind his parents and a twin brother, Hadar.

Of the 253 people abducted to Gaza, the IDF has confirmed the deaths of 31, among them Daniel.