The Israel-Hamas hostage deal, explained
The Story
The Times
3.9 • 1.6K Ratings
🗓️ 23 November 2023
⏱️ 33 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
It’s been nearly seven weeks since 240 Israeli hostages were seized in a terrorist attack by Hamas. The attack was followed by intense retaliatory bombings of the Gaza strip by the Israeli army and thousands of Palestinians have been killed. Finally, a deal for the release of some hostages has been brokered between Hamas and Israel, and a four-day ceasefire in Gaza may begin on Friday. So what has been happening behind the scenes to bring the deal about? And what does this pivotal moment mean for the future of the conflict?
This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes.
Guest: Catherine Philp, World Affairs Editor, The Times.
Host: Luke Jones.
Email us: storiesofourtimes@thetimes.co.uk
Clips: Fox News, Sky News.
This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | They're not authors, but they help you shape your financial story. |
| 0:04.0 | They're not an airline, but they connect global businesses across nearly 160 local markets. |
| 0:10.0 | They're not interpreters that they listen to and understand their client's needs. |
| 0:14.8 | With global expertise and over two centuries of experience, Citi provides tools, insights and |
| 0:20.8 | guidance that helps clients thrive. |
| 0:23.0 | They're not just any bank, they are city. |
| 0:26.0 | Learn more at city.com slash we are city. |
| 0:30.0 | Attention all passengers. You can now book your train tickets on Uber and get 10% back in |
| 0:38.6 | Uber credits to spend on your next train journey. So no excuses not to visit your in-laws this Christmas. |
| 0:45.0 | Trains, now on Uber. T's and C's apply. Check the Uber app. Bap. |
| 0:57.0 | After more than six weeks of fighting, thousands of deaths and arguments and protests around the world. |
| 1:04.3 | A deal has been reached and a ceasefire is expected hopefully for at least four days. |
| 1:11.3 | Hamas say they'll release 50 Israeli hostages, which they've held since |
| 1:16.1 | the 7th of October. In return, 150 Palestinian people in prison in Israel will be freed. |
| 1:23.2 | There will be a pause in the hostilities in the Gaza Strip, but... |
| 1:27.8 | Once that agreement is completed and ended, we will return to what we've been doing since October the 7th. |
| 1:38.1 | The war will surely continue. |
| 1:40.8 | Each night Hamas will release the names of around 12 people they'll free on each of the four evenings, |
| 1:46.2 | potentially followed by more if both sides maintain their ceasefire. |
| 1:50.2 | In what's become known as hostages Square in Tel Aviv, family members of those held gather. |
| 1:59.4 | On Wednesday, our world affairs editor Catherine Philp heard of their agonizing weight. |
| 2:05.0 | So for us, we are in a nightmare for 47 days. |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Times, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of The Times and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.