I srael is preparing for the release of three hostages by Hamas on Saturday, while continuing to push for the expedited release of additional captives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top defense officials Thursday evening to discuss strategies to pressure Hamas into accelerating the process, though a senior Arab diplomat cautioned against expecting further releases beyond the agreed timeline.
The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was tested Thursday when a rocket was fired from Gaza for the first time since the truce began last month. The rocket reportedly killed a Palestinian teenager inside the Strip, prompting an Israeli military response.
Hamas had initially threatened to delay the hostage release, accusing Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the truce, including allowing the entry of tents, shelters, and medical supplies into Gaza. However, the group later confirmed that three hostages would be freed as planned on Saturday.
Ceasefire Under Strain
The rocket launch and subsequent Israeli strike underscored the precarious nature of the ceasefire. Hamas claimed the rocket was an unexploded Israeli ordnance that accidentally ignited, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated it targeted the source of the launch in central Gaza.
Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a four-hour meeting with military and security officials at the IDF’s Southern Command headquarters in Beersheba to review operational plans for various scenarios. Attendees included IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, and other senior figures.
Hostage Release Details
Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, 17 hostages are slated to be released in the first phase, nine of whom are believed to still be alive. So far, Hamas has freed 16 Israelis and five Thai nationals, while Israel has released approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds convicted of terrorism.
Israeli officials are reportedly urging mediators—Qatar, Egypt, and the United States—to pressure Hamas into releasing six additional hostages ahead of their scheduled dates on February 22 and March 1. However, a senior Arab diplomat told The Times of Israel that Hamas is unlikely to deviate from the agreed timeline.
“We got Hamas to agree to release the hostages on Saturday after it threatened not to release any of them. To assume they will go beyond that would be a stretch,” the diplomat said.
International Pressure
U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal in demanding the release of all hostages, warning of severe consequences if Hamas fails to comply. Israeli officials have echoed this sentiment, stating that the ceasefire will end if the three hostages are not released by Saturday noon.
Hamas, meanwhile, has been negotiating with Egyptian and Qatari officials to secure additional aid for Gaza, including shelters, medical supplies, fuel, and heavy equipment for clearing rubble. While Netanyahu’s office denied reports of allowing mobile homes and earth-moving equipment into Gaza, Egyptian media showed trucks carrying such supplies waiting at the Rafah border crossing.
Public Outcry and Protests
The uncertainty surrounding the hostage releases has sparked protests in Israel, with thousands taking to the streets to demand the government secure the return of all captives. Families of the hostages have been vocal in their calls for action, holding silent protests and blocking major highways.
Looking Ahead
While the first phase of the hostage release appears back on track, serious doubts remain about subsequent stages of the agreement. Negotiations on a second phase, which would involve the release of remaining hostages and a potential IDF withdrawal from Gaza, have stalled. Mediators have warned that the entire deal could collapse unless progress is made soon.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, has seen over 1,200 killed and 251 taken hostage. While 105 civilians were freed during a November 2023 truce, and eight hostages have been rescued by Israeli forces, at least 35 hostages are believed to have died in captivity.
As the situation remains fluid, all eyes are on Saturday’s planned release and whether the ceasefire can hold long enough to bring the remaining hostages home.
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