Shea Levin — text status

Additional details have emerged about the secret direct channel between Israel and Hamas during the hostage negotiations: Then-Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar personally held several phone conversations with senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad, with the channel operating with the approval of Prime Minister Netanyahu and senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, Kan News reports. The direct contacts intensified following the murder of the six hostages in Rafah and were used to try to resolve specific disputes and obstacles in the negotiations. Despite the secret channel, the eventual hostage agreement was ultimately reached through the mediators.