Israel and Hamas are closer than ever to a hostage deal, Jewish media said quoting a pro-Hezbollah report. According to mediators engaging the two warring sides, "unprecedented levels of readiness" have been displayed by Hamas as well as the Benjamin Netanyahu government.
On Christmas day, a crucial breakthrough is expected in the talks to bring home the Israeli nationals taken hostage during the October 7 attacks by infiltrators from Gaza. Hamas is pitching for an extended ceasefire in the territory, while Israel's priority is the release of as many hostages as possible, the Times Of Israel (TOI) said in a report.
It was Egyptian security sources and mediators who reportedly revealed the crucial details to pro-Hamas Lebanese media outlet al-Akhbar. Talks between the two camps in recent times were ending inconclusive as they couldn't find a common ground when it came to the number of hostages being released as a part of the deal, the Times Of Israel said in a report. However, sources in Tel Aviv reportedly confirmed that the government is likely to sign a deal by December 25.
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