An investigation by Haaretz has revealed that Israel’s President Isaac Herzog engaged in conversations with families of captives, encouraging them to consider publicly supporting a potential pardon for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These discussions took place weeks before the fragile ceasefire in Gaza was implemented.

Sources cited by the Israeli media outlet stated that while some families declined the president’s request, others believed that such support could help facilitate a hostage exchange deal. However, Herzog reportedly did not present the pardon as a precondition for any agreement.

Herzog’s office confirmed that the topic was discussed but emphasised that “the initiative came from the families themselves”, according to Haaretz.

Netanyahu, who has been on trial since 2020 facing three separate criminal cases, has denied all the corruption charges against him and pleaded not guilty.