Israel is closest it’s EVER been to hostage deal with terrorists Hamas as captives could be freed in DAYS
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ISRAEL is the closest it has ever been to a hostage deal after months of a bloody war in Gaza. The following hours are crucial for the fate of hostages and the end of the conflict in the Middle East as Tel Aviv and Hamas have been sent a final draft of the deal today.
A diplomatic source told NBC: "We are the closest we’ve ever been.". The proposal sees the first hostages held by the terror group released 48 hours after the ceasefire is in place, US officials said. One of the officials said the first set of hostages set to be released is “in very bad shape” while the rest of those held in Gaza would follow.
![[Families of hostages in Tel Aviv rally for their release.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2023-tel-aviv-israel-rally-865230480.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Local media report that Hamas has already accepted the deal without any reservations. The proposal also calls for Israel to withdraw from populated areas of Gaza. Earlier today an official said a ceasefire and hostage deal has been presented by Qatar to both sides at talks in Doha.
![[Smiling baby holding a pink stuffed animal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/image_4f2fb4.png?strip=all&w=620)
The briefing included the chiefs of Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet spy agencies and Qatar's prime minister. The talks were also joined by Steve Witkoff, who will become US envoy when Trump returns to the US presidency next week. The official stressed the following hours are crucial for the outcome of the breakthrough reached in the early hours of Monday.
![[Smoke billows over buildings in Rafah, Gaza, following an Israeli air strike.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2023-palestinian-hamas-militants-entered-851872975.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"The next 24 hours will be pivotal to reaching the deal," the official said.". Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the negotiations were being coordinated between Biden's and Trump's teams. "There is progress, it looks much better than previously. I want to thank our American friends for the huge efforts they are investing to secure a hostage deal," Saar said.
![[Missing person poster for Emily Damari, a 28-year-old British citizen, last seen October 7th, 2023.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/c9cf648a-258d-462b-9c6c-b2a72f006df9.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
