logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2023
28m 55s

The Israel-Hamas hostage deal, explained

THE TIMES
About this episode

It’s been nearly seven weeks since 240 Israeli hostages were seized in a terrorist attack by Hamas. The attack was followed by intense retaliatory bombings of the Gaza strip by the Israeli army and thousands of Palestinians have been killed. Finally, a deal for the release of some hostages has been brokered between Hamas and Israel, and a four-day ceasefire in Gaza may begin on Friday. So what has been happening behind the scenes to bring the deal about? And what does this pivotal moment mean for the future of the conflict?

This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. 

Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.

Host: Luke Jones.

Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk

Clips: Fox News, Sky News.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Q&A: Israel on a knife edge, freedom of movement back on the cards and what next for Christa Pike?
Following this week’s elections in Israel, will Benjamin Netanyahu cling on as Prime Minister? Why did Christa Pike’s execution fail? And as Andy Burnham weighs up a return to free movement with the EU, have the political class ever accepted Brexit? You asked, so we answered, in ... Show More
25m 39s
Yesterday
What does the budget mean for you?
Chancellor John Healey has delivered the first budget of Andy Burnham’s government. It was a deliberately low-key statement marked by a string of small policy announcements, and thin on detail when it came to the government’s two biggest fiscal headaches: defense spending and the ... Show More
31m 37s
Oct 28
Prepping goes mainstream - how ready should we be?
Last Friday, the UK government told British households to have three days’ worth of food and water in their homes, as insurance against national emergencies. Now, the UK is prepping. But what exactly are the threats? Are we lagging behind our European cousins when it comes to rea ... Show More
25m 37s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
Israel-Gaza: The hostage and prisoner release explained
By Monday morning, more than fifty hostages held in Gaza had been released as part of a deal between Israel and Hamas. The deal, which includes a four-day pause in fighting, came seven weeks after the 7 October attacks on Israel. In exchange, more than a hundred Palestinian women ... Show More
16m 22s
Oct 2025
How will the ceasefire in Gaza be enforced?
Israel breaches the Gaza ceasefire killing dozens of Palestinians. Now, it says it's returned to the deal but warns Hamas it hinges on handing over the captives' remains. So, how challenging will it be to move to the next phase? And how far will the guarantors go to enforce it?In ... Show More
24m 59s
Nov 2023
Israel and Hamas’s Fragile Cease-Fire
<p>Hostages are at the heart of the fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, now in its fifth day. As of Monday night, 50 Israeli hostages had been released, as had 150 Palestinian prisoners. More releases were expected on Tuesday, under what Qatari mediators said was a deal ... Show More
30m 1s
Nov 2023
Behind the hostage deal
If the hostage deal between Israel and Hamas all goes according to plan, at least 50 hostages held by Hamas will be released in exchange for some 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, and there will be a four-day pause in the fighting. But both sides are clear: This is not ... Show More
59m 23s
Oct 2023
Biden goes to Israel
It’s been 11 days since Hamas attacked Israel, killing civilians and taking hostages. Israel’s retaliation has killed hundreds of Palestinians and created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment Aaron David Miller and Middle East analyst Michael Wah ... Show More
27m 2s
Jan 2025
Israel-Gaza ceasefire: What’s been agreed?
After 15 months of war and long negotiations, the leaders of Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to stop fighting in Gaza and to release prisoners and hostages. Full details haven’t been released, but the first phase of the deal is due to come into effect on Sunday - as long as ... Show More
10m 54s