OVERNIGHT ISRAEL: Hostage Talks Stall, Global Alliances Shift, and Internal Strife Deepens

Nuclear negotiations. Terror alliances. A Shin Bet scandal. And a desperate plea from hostage families. Here’s what unfolded this week while you were focused on Passover, and why it matters.

Hamas’s Hostage Gambit Pays Off

Hamas’s strategy is working. The terror group didn’t take hostages to win a war but to paralyze Israel with negotiations. Endless talks have bought them time, and now they’re gaining diplomatic legitimacy. This week, Iran wrapped up two rounds of nuclear talks with the U.S. in Rome. Iran’s Foreign Minister headed to Moscow, then China, with another U.S. meeting slated for April 26 in Oman. Israel’s top negotiator, Ron Dermer, was spotted in Rome, though officials insist he wasn’t part of the discussions. The U.S. appears to be softening on Iran’s nuclear program, which is exactly what Trump once slammed Obama for. Israel is watching, stunned.

Terror Axis Goes Public

The global stage is shifting, and not in Israel’s favor.Turkey, a NATO member, hosted Hamas leaders to discuss a ceasefire. A NATO country openly engaging with a terror group responsible for over 1,000 civilian deaths drew no rebuke from the West.Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority head Mahmoud Abbas made a rare trip to Syria (his first in nearly 20 years) to meet with rebel leader Jolani. Netanyahu blocked a direct flight from Ramallah, so Abbas drove to Jordan and flew to Damascus.The lineup is clear: Iran, Turkey, Qatar, Oman, Russia, China, Syria, the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, and the Houthis are aligning. They’re gaining ground while Israel grapples with internal debates.

Shin Bet Drama and Hostage Despair

At home, chaos reigns.Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, embroiled in a legal battle over his firing, is set to step down in mid-May. In a statement to the High Court, Bar claimed Netanyahu pressured him to testify that security concerns prevented the Prime Minister’s court appearances in his criminal trial. Bar refused, alleging his dismissal was retaliation for disloyalty.

During all this turmoil, hostage families are losing hope. The Tikva Forum, a hostage advocacy group, issued an open letter to Netanyahu, warning that “Hamas is gaining legitimacy as a governing force, while the hostages face a slow death.”

Hamas released a third propaganda video featuring hostage Elkana Bohbot and admitted losing contact with the captors of American-Israeli Edan Alexander, kidnapped on October 7, 2023. Alexander’s father is urging direct U.S. intervention.Netanyahu, in a Saturday night speech, rejected Hamas’s latest demands for a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza and massive reconstruction, vowing, “I will not bow to murderers.”

Global Moves and Legal Jockeying

While Israel stalls, its adversaries move fast. Oman, mediating U.S.-Iran talks, is tightening ties with Russia, with the Sultan visiting Moscow this week. China, meanwhile, is reportedly providing satellite support to the Houthis for attacks on U.S. warships, per the Financial Times.On the legal front, Israeli prosecutors are preparing indictments against 300 Hamas terrorists linked to the October 7 massacre.

But there’s a hitch: Israel is quietly asking the U.S. to hold off on filing charges first. Because the American legal system is faster, and U.S. indictments could overshadow Israel’s efforts, risking embarrassment. It’s a stark snapshot of priorities: ego, politics, and delays, while the so-called “axis of evil” forges ahead with chilling coordination.

Stay with us on Overnight Israel for the most up-to-date and unfiltered coverage of what’s happening on the ground.

See you tomorrow!