Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes the hostages held in Gaza will be released “in the coming days.” This optimism follows Hamas’s agreement to free the captives and enter negotiations as part of a U.S. peace plan. In a statement released on Friday, Hamas did not mention disarmament but stressed the need to discuss other issues raised in the U.S. proposal.
In a televised address on Saturday, Netanyahu reaffirmed his commitment to demilitarizing Gaza, declaring that “Hamas will be disarmed, and Gaza will be demilitarized,” whether through peaceful means or otherwise. Later that day, Hamas accused Israel of continuing “massacres” after morning strikes in Gaza.
U.S. President Donald Trump noted that Israel had temporarily halted its bombing campaign, calling the pause a crucial step toward finalizing a peace agreement with Hamas and securing the hostages’ release. He urged Hamas to act quickly. Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are set to begin in Egypt on Monday. As part of the proposed deal, Trump has asked Israel to suspend its military operations in Gaza and pull its troops back to a previously agreed line, in exchange for Hamas releasing all remaining hostages within 72 hours.
Israel has agreed to the prisoner swap but has not formally responded to Trump’s request to stop its strikes on Gaza. The situation remains complex, with both sides navigating the terms of a potential peace agreement. The upcoming indirect ceasefire talks in Egypt may provide an opportunity for progress, as the international community continues to monitor developments. The release of hostages and the demilitarization of Gaza are expected to be central issues in these discussions, and the pursuit of a lasting peace remains a key objective for all parties involved.
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