Negotiations are under way for the release of 33 Israeli captives by Hamas, Al Jazeera reports citing the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

According to a senior Israeli official, the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released will be determined after knowing the number of living and dead captives.

“This time there is optimism and [the deal] seems closer than ever,” they said.

Israeli media, including Channel 12, reported that US President-elect Donald Trump’s envoy arrived in Israel on a surprise visit carrying a message that an agreement must be reached before inauguration on January 20.

Opinion

Editorial

Spoiler alert
17 Jun, 2026

Spoiler alert

AFTER the temporary peace deal between the US and Iran is physically signed in Geneva on Friday, an arduous process...
Storm-tested cities
17 Jun, 2026

Storm-tested cities

THE deaths caused by the latest spell of monsoon rains in KP and Punjab illustrate how quickly severe weather can...
Chakwal tragedy
17 Jun, 2026

Chakwal tragedy

A NINE-year-old girl is dead because a Punjab Crime Control Department gunman mistook her family’s car for a...
A new deal
Updated 16 Jun, 2026

A new deal

AFTER three and a half months of war between US-Israel and Iran and an acrimonious temporary ceasefire, a genuine...
Charter of economy
16 Jun, 2026

Charter of economy

NO one expected the PTI to accept the government’s invitation to sign a charter of economy; just as few expected...
Hostage seamen
16 Jun, 2026

Hostage seamen

SOME 50 days on, 11 Pakistani nationals are still in Somali pirates’ captivity. Their appeals to the Pakistani and...