Israel vows to maintain 'full freedom of action' in Gaza, says ceasefire is close

Israel's defense minister has vowed that it would maintain “full freedom of action” in the Gaza Strip after fighting ends in the Palestinian enclave, a day after raising hopes that a ceasefire and hostage deal was imminent.

Israel's defense minister has vowed that it would maintain “full freedom of action” in the Gaza Strip after fighting ends in the Palestinian enclave, a day after raising hopes that a ceasefire and hostage deal was imminent.

Israel was “closer to a ceasefire deal than we have ever been,” Defense Minister Israel Katz said during a closed-door parliamentary committee hearing Monday. The comment was confirmed to NBC News by an Israeli lawmaker who was present.

While ceasefire talks have broken down multiple times in the past, two U.S. officials and an Israeli official last week told NBC News that Hamas relented on key points to securing an agreement.

According to the officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Hamas agreed that Israeli forces would remain in Gaza temporarily after the end of hostilities, and Hamas would provide a comprehensive list of hostages, including American citizens, to be released. Hamas would also see a large number of Palestinian prisoners released by Israel as part of the deal, the sources said.

An anti-government protest in Tel Aviv on Tuesday calling for action to secure the release of hostages.Jack Guez / AFP via Getty ImagesThe Wall Street Journal first reported these concessions. Hamas has not confirmed to NBC News or others’ reporting that it has agreed to Israeli troops in Gaza.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-gaza-hamas-ceasefire-close-hostage-rcna184481

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