Israel

New Report Details Secret Shin Bet–Hamas Channel Behind 2025 Hostage Deal

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Courtroom-sketch editorial illustration of a government-office building in Jerusalem; institutional context.
AI courtroom sketch of a government-office building in Jerusalem; institutional context. Adapted from the credited reference. 20180306-101516-prime-minister-office-jerusalem-kiryat-haleom-march-2018.jpg — Rakoon; CC0.

Channel 12 reported that a secret telephone channel linking a senior Shin Bet official acting for then-agency chief Ronen Bar with senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad helped overcome obstacles to the January 2025 hostage deal. The report said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya approved the channel, which began in August 2024 and involved dozens of calls monitored live by Bar. A source familiar with the contacts said they resolved disputes over prisoner lists and helped bring Hamas into the agreement. The contacts reportedly continued until February 2025, when Netanyahu removed Bar from his lead negotiating role.

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