"We [Israel] need to end the war, strike a [ceasefire] deal, and return the hostages," Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said, the Israeli Army Radio reported. 

Lapid further added that "Israel has always opposed long-term wars", as the army depends on reserve forces that are not qualified for such wars, referring to the nine-month Israeli onslaught in Gaza. 

Moreover, in its Sunday editorial titled "The Moment of Public Test," Israeli newspaper Haaretz revealed that a serious prisoner exchange deal is currently on the table in "Israel".

The website stated that the deal is expected to involve "the return of some" of the captives, along with an agreed-upon plan for future discussions regarding the release of the remaining captives, while also aiming to prevent the outbreak of a full-scale war in the region.

Haaretz highlighted that the families of the captives, alongside the Israeli settlers, have been waiting for the release of captives being held in the Gaza Strip since October 7, and stressed that they "are already experiencing disappointment."

The newspaper pointed out that this is not the first or second time that the deal seemed close, but repeatedly, for one reason or another, the agreement fails to bear fruit.

However, Haaretz adds, "yet it seems that this time the chances of a deal are greater than ever." It points out that in a meeting held by Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant with the families of the captives, following the receipt of Hamas' response to the mediators' offer in the negotiations, the Defense Minister said: 'We are the closest to a deal than ever before."

Read more: Hamas unveils amendments to new ceasefire proposal