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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was given special leave Monday to delay his testimony Tuesday in his trial because of special circumstances — leading to speculation about a strike on Iran, or a hostage deal with Hamas.
Netanyahu has been testifying in his own defense in a trial whose central allegation is that he sought better media coverage from a hostile press. His testimony, thus far, has made the charges seem as spurious as critics suggested.
However, on Monday the judge announced, after conferring privately with the lawyers for both sides, that the prime minister’s testimony Tuesday would be postponed — leading to speculation about what those circumstances might be.
The Times of Israel reported that Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, told members of the Knesset that a hostage deal with Hamas was closer than it has ever been. Hamas is still holding 100 Israelis, at least half of them still alive.