Saudi media reports: Israel signals major shift in hostage deal

Saudi media reports that Israel has taken a firm stance on deporting life-sentence terror convicts out of the country, while showing flexibility on other key issues.

Sources familiar with the talks say Israel remains adamant about blocking the release of 60 specific prisoners in the deal's first phase. Among those Israel refuses to free are high-profile figures Marwan Barghouti, a senior Fatah leader, and Ahmad Sa'adat, who heads the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).

However, in what could mark a major breakthrough, Israel has reportedly agreed to partially withdraw its forces from the strategic Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border. Perhaps even more significantly, Palestinian sources claim Israel has, for the first time, indicated willingness to completely pull out from the Netzarim Corridor.

Despite these remaining points of contention, diplomatic sources describe the latest round of talks as showing "exceptional progress." The Saudi news channel's analysis suggests that while disagreements persist, they're unlikely to derail the first phase of the agreement.