U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan traveled to Israel with an agenda focused on a potential ceasefire and prisoner swap in Gaza. His diplomatic mission also included visits to Egypt and Qatar, reflecting the growing urgency of efforts to address the escalating crisis.
The Times of Israel reported that Sullivan’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials represents a final push by the Joe Biden administration, which will leave office on 20 January, to negotiate a prisoner swap and establish a ceasefire in Gaza.
Photographs released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office showed senior ministers in attendance, along with Ronen Bar, head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet (Shabak); David Barnea, director of the foreign intelligence agency Mossad; and Gal Hirsch, coordinator of the Prisoners and Missing Persons File. The high-level meeting underscores the critical importance of these discussions.
A Western diplomat in the region informed Reuters that Israel is nearing an agreement with the militant Palestinian group Hamas, but the deal would be narrowly scoped—involving the release of only a small number of hostages and a brief pause in hostilities.
The proposed ceasefire hinges on the Egyptian plan for a ‘Gaza without Hamas’ strategy. This plan includes a truce lasting one to two months, during which hostages would be gradually released, prolonged talks without military pressure on the ground, swift reopening of the Rafah border crossing under Palestinian Authority and Egyptian supervision, and Hamas would be required to provide a list of living hostages within several days.
Under this framework, Israel would retain veto power over individuals crossing into Egypt. In return, Cairo would secure a Palestinian commitment ensuring Hamas would not control the border crossing or Gaza itself “during the coming period.”
Hamas has reportedly accepted the plan on the condition that Gaza’s administration be handed over to a committee of local Palestinians. Egyptian officials have communicated this proposal to Israel, with Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar and Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi visiting Egypt recently. Separately, Mossad Director David Barnea held talks in Doha with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdurrahman Al Thani.
Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz conveyed to U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during a phone call that there is a tangible chance for an agreement to free hostages, including U.S. citizens. On 4 December, Katz expressed optimism, stating, “This time we really have a chance to make a prisoner swap with Hamas.”
In parallel, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump demanded Hamas release all hostages in Gaza, warning, “Otherwise, the Middle East will turn into hell.”
Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution yesterday evening calling for an immediate, inclusive, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, along with the unconditional release of hostages. The resolution, submitted by Palestine, was passed with 158 ‘yes’ votes, 9 ‘no’ votes, and 13 abstentions out of the 193-member General Assembly.
