The release of two Western hostages in Lebanon in early August led to hopes of an imminent comprehensive hostage deal.

Some allegations suggest, moreover, that the proven later dealings of the Reagan Administration with Iran grew out of the alleged hostage deal in 1980.

Sit around waiting to be traded in some hostage deal.

Or perhaps some sort of hostage deal could be worked out: a close relative is released when a passenger takes a seat.

Senior Israeli officials said an accounting of its soldiers was the minimum requirement for talks on a comprehensive hostage deal.

That Jem Hadar might be here to negotiate a hostage deal.

Journalists and researchers have uncovered extensive circumstantial evidence of a hostage deal in the 1980 campaign.

He was released from jail on 12/31/1999 as part of the Indian Airlines Flight 814 hostage deal and provided safe passage to Pakistan.

Like maybe this isn't the usual hostage deal.

As the momentum wanes for a quick hostage deal, most of the principals involved have continued to speak in optimistic phrases about ultimately reaching a settlement.