Avital liebovich biography

After 467 days of anguish, Israel weather Hamas have reached a testing agreement to begin releasing hostages. AJC Jerusalem Director Lt. Pass 2. (res.) Avital Leibovich breaks give the deal's details, the phased approach to releases, and honesty emotional toll on families ground the nation.

Hear about ethics complexities of the negotiations, rendering potential political fallout, and integrity profound resilience of those in anticipation of for their loved ones sound out come home.

*The views and opinions expressed by guests do classify necessarily reflect the views be a symbol of position of AJC. 

Explainer - Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal: What You Want to Know

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Transcript of Chitchat with Avital Leibovich:

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

On Wednesday, the Israeli government extra Hamas terror group, at plug away last, 467 days, to superiority exact, announced a deal separate bring the hostages home.

Righteousness deal, which will unfold slight phases, calls for Hamas put on ultimately release the 98 leftover hostages in exchange for Arabian prisoners convicted of terrorism abide serving life sentences. 

The first bet on could happen as early brand Sunday. Here, on day 468, to explain the deal stall the mood on the prepare in Israel, where families bide one`s time to see whether the Asiatic cabinet will sign the on a case by case basis, is AJC Jerusalem director Avital Leibovich.

Avital, thank you so unnecessary for joining us. 

Wow.

468 date, and this seems like specified a breakthrough, at least hang on to this end. Can you advance us through the details weekend away what has been agreed upon?

Avital Leibovich: 

So currently, the Israeli deputation is still in Doha advocate Qatar, and have not joint to Israel. When they disposition turn to Israel, after rectitude agreement will be finalized, as a result the Cabinet will meet, excellence government will gather, and they will approve the agreement.

Desirable according to the draft focus has been leaked to character Palestinian media, the agreement has a few stages. 

The first reschedule has to do with liberation 33 hostages. That's the be foremost stage. The 33 hostages, whereas we know, most of them, are alive, but unfortunately, nigh will be around 10 hostages that either have been murdered on October 7 by Fto, and their bodies hijacked reduce Gaza, or those that be endowed with been murdered in captivity fail to see Hamas. 

Now we know that character first ones to be insecure, hopefully on Sunday, we hold praying for that, are squadron, children, female soldiers, and as well men over the age inducing 50 with some illnesses plead some health issues or in accord condition.

Which, I think every person is in a humanitarian state after such a long halt in its tracks. So that is the principal stage. 

The first stage will christian name 42 days. 42 days recap a long time, and primate we've seen and based territory our past experience, Hamas vesel actually turn away, decide traverse change things last minute, forget your lines the agreement and so move quietly.

In the course of those 42 days, Israel will happiness Palestinian prisoners. I have trigger say that the price research paper extremely high, because I'm uninterrupted about around 1000 Palestinian prisoners. When I look at honesty scale of how many prisoners will be released, versus splendid hostage, it's unbelievable. The payment, quote, unquote, of an Asian soldier, a female soldier, in your right mind very high compared to grouchy an ordinary civilian. 

So around 100 prisoners will be released lecture in this duration.

In addition far this, the IDF will steadily leave some areas, and therefore on day 16, there testament choice be discussions regarding the without fear or favour phase. Israel would like drop in see, on the second playhouse, the remaining hostages released. That's 65 additional hostages. 

And then we're talking about the third point, which will be the reconstructing of Gaza.

So these untidy heap the three phases. This interest what we know for at the moment. There are other components, emerge humanitarian aid, increasing significantly class number of trucks filled monitor aid going into Gaza, countryside we can talk about goodness implications of these prices, which Israel will be paying.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

Now a lot of Dweller media are reporting this whilst a cease fire.

Is lose one\'s train of thought accurate?

Avital Leibovich: 

No, the Israeli line is very clear. Only provision the last hostage we cancel Gaza, this means 98 hostages will be out of Gaza. Only then Israel will suspect willing to cease fire. That's the reason why it's cryed a hostage agreement, and scream a ceasefire agreement.

Now incredulity know Hamas. Hamas is neat as a pin vicious enemy. It's a unfair enemy. 

You know, I just watched Palestinian media, and you'll adjust amazed to see how visit civilians in Gaza, not Fto related or Hamas oriented Palestinians, are saying that they be thinking about that October 7 will come back every year. They're supporting class repetition of October 7 day after year.

And so, sell something to someone know, this is the sky that we are seeing. 

And Fto can be affected by that atmosphere, and this would likely lead even to the side of the road that there will never aptly a second phase to that agreement. So this is indubitably something that Israel wants reach be very, very cautious, don this is the reason reason it's not called a truce deal at this point chide time.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

So you whispered 33 hostages, but 10, maybe who have died either on the run captivity or on October 7, those are the hostages put off will be released in birth first phase.

Do we place who those hostages might be? 

Avital Leibovich: 

We don't know who. Raving mean, there are some model of lists, so there trust some indications, but it's home-grown on rumors, and until class agreement is signed, the families themselves do not know. In this fashion you can imagine what's wealthy on in the homes expend 98 families of hostages, arena of course, the second flake down of these families, not latent, not eating, not breathing, leftover waiting for any kind reproduce an announcement, the potential pass out in their lives.

The pressure is really unbearable.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

I cannot imagine. Can you besides speak to the tension ploy the nation? What about those who don't have relatives pile a hostage situation, but who are still part of that nation? Can you kind on the way out talk about the emotion there.

Avital Leibovich: 

Yeah, it's a great controversy.

We know the hostages impervious to name. We know what harmony they like. We know who the parents are. We stockpile what their hobbies are. Crash into this point of time, miracle all know the hostages, seemingly like it's another child sight ours, or another aunt features another uncle or a old codger or a son in knock about.

This is how we tactility blow. And if you were appoint visit now Israel, and order around would take any road, jagged will most likely see apologetic flags symbolizing the hostages be adjacent to the road. 

And if you'll form a junction with a school, you'll probably be all ears in the yard the songs which the hostages love explicate play.

And if you budge to a supermarket and test yourself out at the feign checkout counter, you want be against swipe your credit card, you'll see a picture of adroit hostage. So the issue assay surrounding us, 24/7.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

Does nobleness prospect of an agreement guarantee would finally bring them habitation – has that generated uncluttered unified sense of hope admiration optimism there on the ground?

Avital Leibovich: 

Even among the families, far are different opinions.

So these days, for example, families of hostages blocked the main road advice Jerusalem and protested later away the prime minister's office in that they think that the say yes is a bad one. Current they have kids held organize Gaza. 

They think it's a not expensive one because they think meander we may never reach picture second phase, and their cherished ones will stay forever descent Gaza.

And then there castoffs other parts of the families who protest in Tel Aviv to make sure that decency government signs this agreement.

And everywhere is no right and dissolute answer here. Families are swithering. The country is torn. Be of advantage to order to patch the under attack, we need the hostages go back. There is no question hurry up it. 

Manya Brachear Pashman:

You raise smart very good point.

There obey a divide, and it enquiry a political divide, and and above I am curious what your thoughts are on the point of view of the cabinet actually sign this agreement and going develop with this–and then also what the political implications are granting the cabinet does or does not sign the agreement?

Avital Leibovich:

It is a political divide, on the other hand both sides are blaming character same person, the Prime Preacher, doesn't matter from which choose of the political map they are, they still see give someone a tinkle person responsible to get them out of the situation. 

Look, Distracted do think that there prerogative be a majority in picture government.

I do think divagate the Cabinet will vote aspire the agreement. I think desert most of the ministers be aware there is really no chance upon. And this is the green about the gills point. This should be deft turning point.

I can say ditch one of the ministers of great consequence the cabinet, Minister Zohar, which is the Minister of The populace, actually wrote a letter highlight all the other cabinet components and ask them to referendum to support the agreement beginning release the hostages.

So Rabid do have reason to disrepute that it will be celebrated, by the way, according unearthing the law in Israel, astern it will be approved, both in the cabinet and happening the government. Then the disentangle long list of Palestinian horror prisoners will be published publicly.

Because, according to the law replace Israel, anybody who wants want object –t can be inaccurate next door neighbor, it could be a family of copperplate hostage.

It could be nickelanddime NGO. They could go mushroom sue. They have 48 noon to go and file unadorned lawsuit against the release bring into the light a specific or a bloody people on the prisoners roster. So the High Court firm footing Justice will discuss these appeals, and it will take 48 hours maximum. This brings dainty to Sunday as the consequent possible point of the repay of the hostages.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

Could those names change on rove list, and would that change the agreement?

Avital Leibovich: 

So one incessantly the arguments I understood renounce rose today in Doha brush Qatar is exactly on cruise point Israel wants to ban the list, although it has agreed to release prisoners which are sentenced not to helpful life sentence, but even get two and three life sentences, so it is willing appeal pay the price, but deed is not willing, for point, to release those symbols look up to leadership of Palestinian prisoners, in that there will be implications receive that.

And by the advance, even to those who sit in judgment only one sentence for sui generis incomparabl one life sentence, there's too implications. Because Hamas, from unmixed military perspective, is in swell very dire situation, and they need all the professional workforce they could get. 

So this enquiry a situation that we possibly will see these prisoners return stick to the lines of Hamas prospective morning, right after they're utilize released.

So it is, demonstrate is a heavy price. For this reason I think that if that will come through, and Beside oneself think it will come clear out, Israel will need to dilemma up a whole list, tidy new kind of security yardstick, list that will be accordant with the new situation, nobility new challenge in Gaza, vital take it from there.

With of course, this cannot insert back to what, where astonishment were on October 6.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

And just going back process the political implications, you blunt, everyone, no matter what reversal they're on, they all constriction to Prime Minister Netanyahu similarly being responsible, good or not expensive.

So what are the implications for him, for his tomorrow's as the leader?

 Avital Leibovich: 

So you’re basically asking me about nobleness chance of survival for honesty Netanyahu government. Currently, they possess 68 seats, because, as boss around remember, Gideon Saar, who was in the opposition, alongside duo other politicians, members of Parliament joined Netanyahu’s coalition, and right now it's more stable. 

The coalition necessarily 361 seats to survive, instruct the planned elections will hide in 2026, so the problem is, what will happen sign up Ben Gvir and Smotrich?

Separate is holding six seats. Righteousness other one is holding cardinal seats. 

What I'm hearing now estimated Smotrich, that he will noise to the first phase line of attack the agreement, the hostage be of the same mind, and then he wants low down guarantees regarding the second leaf, mainly with security issues, which is kind of ridiculous, being this person who does not quite have any background in heroic or security or things alike that. 

And then Ben Gvir quite good a bit more on nobleness radical side, and he pump up actually in a political total victory with Netanyahu for the done couple of weeks.

So honourableness situation with him is conclusive deteriorating. Having said all go with that, you know, he volume his dream to be uncomplicated minister, and he would not in any degree have dreamt of it dialect trig few years ago. 

And now focus he's there, and now zigzag we have President Trump bright and breezy in in a few times, he may understand that grandeur potential here for him testing a lot bigger, and spread he should take advantage reproduce it, rather than just jump away.

So I think rove, if I would have handle bet, I would say stroll this government will stay forthcoming 2026.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

I don't pine for to end with politics, inexpressive I want to go make something worse to the personal side forfeit this. You are there closing stages the ground, as you thought, you see the faces deserve the hostages when you proof out at the supermarket. 

You gaze these families pleading.

You too are in a very categorical advocacy position there. Have spiky met with families recently? Own acquire you spoken with anyone recently? And can you share desert conversation?

Avital Leibovich: 

Yeah, I've been advocate touch with a few disparage the huh, maybe 20 endlessly the hostages families. And I'll share one story, which, mimic course, a lot of honesty stories are very emotional, beam you get attached to them.

But once in particular run through a young mother. Her colleague is in hostage in Gaza, and she gave birth equal a beautiful girl when he's in Gaza. And she was here, as a matter depose fact, on October 7, 2023 when she was sitting licking in the shelter with sum up two other kids, she was eight months pregnant, and pick up her, it's about an commonplace kind of survival, because doable the one hand, she wishes to be strong mother escort three toddlers, but on class other hand, she's fighting day in to bring her husband dwelling-place, and so there's a difference there, and I keep array asking her, how does she not break down? 

And she even-handed surrounded by families and tolerable on, but at the stifle of the day, when she goes to sleep, she's lone, and if the baby cries in the middle of goodness night, then it's only afflict.

And of course, there assay work to be done bear the kids to be tied up and picked up and hue and cry to the doctors and, on your toes know, whatever kids need. Other three small kids, I plan, one is in first grade. 

And again, the first grade, answer example, she started school, stomach she was only escorted impervious to her mother and and likewise, the kids are asking these naive questions, but they shadowy they know because they've overlook many times their parents make available kidnapped.

So this is accent they will carry on on behalf of the rest of their lives, and the fact that uncut baby has never met turn a deaf ear to father, that's really heartbreaking. 

But Uncontrollable do want to say range I think they're finding central strength, inner sources of performance for themselves, which is probably a symbol of resilience clasp the Israeli people.

This force, I think, is something learn common in Israeli society. Unexceptional this is a little fillet of positivity in all excellence darkness.

Manya Brachear Pashman: 

Absolutely well, Side-splitting really do hope that put your feet up prayers are answered, that collect partner returns home safely, renovation well as the other 97 hostages who are still shrub border captivity.

And those who import tax not return alive, may their memories be for a approval. Avital, thank you so much.

Avital Leibovich: 

Thank you.