On Sunday evening, Israeli Security Minister Yoav Galant called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to approve the Egyptian proposal for a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, according to official Hebrew media.

The Kan channel, affiliated with the (official) Broadcasting Corporation, said: “Gallant said at the war council meeting that the deal is good and must be approved, and this is an opportunity to return the prisoners detained in Gaza.”

According to the channel, Gallant personally asked Netanyahu to approve the deal.

During the meeting, Gallant added: “We must return the detainees. I am not talking about this publicly so as not to increase the cost of the deal, but it must be approved.”

Gallant's demand was supported by members of the military cabinet, but Netanyahu expressed reservations, according to the channel, without explanation.