Demonstrators protest calling for the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip outside Hakirya Base in Tel Aviv, Oct. 17, 2024. Photo by Erik Marmor/Flash90
Following Yahya Sinwar’s death in Gaza last week, attempts to reach a hostage ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas were renewed.
In a Security Cabinet discussion on Monday night, several “new ideas” were presented, including a proposal to release several hostages from Gaza in exchange for a two-week ceasefire.
The proposal came after Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar visited Cairo on Sunday, where he met with the new head of Egyptian intelligence, Hassan Rashad.
Bar also updated the cabinet on the details of his trip to Egypt, including a meeting during which he reportedly discussed the situation at the Gaza border, as well as the hostage issue.
The Egyptian plan, known as the “small deal,” proposes the release of a limited number of hostages, possibly as few as five, in exchange for a two-week ceasefire.
According to senior officials, the goal of the “small deal” is to renew negotiations and prepare for a larger deal going forward.
Israeli media reported a stormy discussion in the cabinet following Bar’s presentation of the proposal.
According to those reports, there was a clear split among the members of the government, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin having expressed cautious support for the initiative. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir firmly opposed it, arguing that international pressure would prevent the IDF from being able to resume fighting in Gaza.
Despite hopes that Sinwar’s death would lead to a turning point for hostage negotiations and a possible ceasefire, The New York Times reported on Sunday that Hamas is still demanding a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel on Tuesday for separate meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Blinken is expected to push for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as support the efforts of Special Envoy Amos Hochstein to achieve a resolution to the fighting in Lebanon.
Netanyahu had reportedly instructed the head of Shin Bet to improve the negotiating conditions with Egypt.
According to senior government officials who spoke with Ynet News, the chances of closing a deal are slim.
“It’s the same since January – we’re negotiating with ourselves and with the middlemen,” the source said.
“At no point was there really any real negotiations with Hamas. They made a demand and did not budge from it by a millimeter: a complete end to the war and a complete withdrawal from Gaza, and that will not happen.”
Other sources familiar with the matter told Ynet there was no guarantee stopping the fighting in Gaza would lead to a deal, but that it would create a false hope for the hostages’ families. On the other hand, the sources said that Israel cannot reject the proposal outright without appearing to dishonor the new head of Egyptian intelligence.
Another proposal reportedly under consideration by the cabinet comes from Mossad Director David Barnea, who is suggesting a deal aimed at ending both the war in Gaza and the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon as part of a broader hostage release agreement.
Despite the disagreements and lack of a final decision, the hostage families are closely monitoring developments.
“We urge the government not to reject any proposal out of hand,” a spokeswoman for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.
“Time is running out, and the lives of our loved ones are hanging by the wayside.”
