If the government gives final approval and the Israeli Supreme Court signs off, the country and the Palestinian group Hamas could begin a hostage exchange as early as November 23. This forecast was shared by Mark Regev, a senior adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister, in a televised interview on a British channel. The interview highlighted that negotiations are still in progress and that formal approval remains a prerequisite before any exchange can move forward. The government could vote on the matter within a tight window of one to two hours after a full cabinet session, underscoring the speed with which officials are prepared to act if consensus holds. Regev also noted that families of Israeli victims have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court, challenging any proposed release of individuals convicted in connection with the deaths of their loved ones.
Regev stressed the independence of the Supreme Court, stressing that it has not previously overturned government decisions in similar hostage cases. If the agreement receives government endorsement, the court would review the objections within a 24-hour period. A court ruling in favor would pave the way for the hostage exchange to begin, potentially as soon as Thursday. In his remarks, Regev expressed a hopeful outlook that communities could return to normal life once the immediate danger is resolved and the detained people are accounted for.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about the situation, describing the path ahead as a painstaking but necessary decision regarding the release of hostages held by Palestinian factions in Gaza. His comments reflected a willingness to consider difficult choices in the interest of resolving a long-running crisis and safeguarding civilian lives amid ongoing threats and security concerns.
Netanyahu also reaffirmed a hard line stance on Hamas, signaling a readiness to confront the group should negotiations fail to yield a peaceful outcome. The broader implications of any agreement would hinge on the precise terms, including the scope of releases and verification mechanisms, designed to ensure that any concessions are proportional and bound to verifiable compliance on the ground.