Israeli FM Sa’ar backs potential cease-fire and hostage swap with Hamas, Israeli media reports

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar expressed support Monday for a potential cease-fire agreement and hostage swap with Hamas, according to Israeli media.

“I support efforts to secure a deal to release hostages held in Gaza, as I believe most Israelis do. I’m more optimistic now than I was a month ago,” Sa’ar said during a meeting of his National Right Party.

The proposed deal reportedly includes a cease-fire lasting two months or more, with Hamas agreeing to a limited Israeli military presence along the Philadelphi Corridor, near Egypt’s border. The agreement could also allow thousands of Gazans to return to the northern parts of the enclave after security checks, Israeli media said.

The deal would involve the release of several dozen Israeli hostages in exchange for 700 to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile detainees whom Israel has accused of serious offenses.

Unresolved issues include whether the released Palestinian prisoners will be returned to Gaza, the West Bank, or relocated to a third country.

‘Significant progress made,’ says Israeli defense chief

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier Monday that significant progress has been made toward an agreement.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas on the claims, which follow its previous agreement to a U.S.-proposed deal in May that was derailed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu has faced criticism from opposition groups and families of Israeli hostages for delaying the agreement due to political concerns. Right-wing ministers in his coalition, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, have threatened to withdraw support if a full cease-fire is approved.

Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza, where more than 45,000 people have died since Hamas launched an attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes related to the Gaza conflict.