Israeli PM Netanyahu Announces Hostage Release in Days
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the release of hostages held in Gaza is expected within the coming days. This follows Hamas’ agreement to free its captives under a U.S. peace plan, which does not include disarmament. Netanyahu emphasized that Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, regardless of the approach taken.
The agreement was announced by Hamas, which stated it was adhering to the terms of the U.S. peace plan. However, the plan does not include the demand for Hamas to disarm, and the group has requested negotiations on other subjects, including “other issues mentioned” in the U.S. proposal.
In a televised statement on Saturday, Netanyahu vowed that “Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized.” He added that “either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved.”
Later on Saturday, Hamas said that Israel was continuing to commit “massacres” after strikes hit Gaza in the morning. US President Donald Trump, however, said that the Jewish state has “temporarily stopped the bombing,” calling it a critical step toward finalizing a peace agreement with Hamas and securing the release of hostages. He warned the Palestinian armed group to act swiftly.
Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are set to start in Egypt on Monday. Trump has called on West Jerusalem to stop launching strikes against the enclave, proposing that Hamas must release all remaining hostages within 72 hours of Israel suspending military operations in Gaza and withdrawing its troops “to the agreed-upon line.”
West Jerusalem has agreed to the prisoner swap but has not officially addressed Trump’s call for Israel to halt its strikes on Gaza.