Israel has reportedly informed Hamas, through mediators Egypt and Qatar, that the current ceasefire will continue if the terror group releases three more hostages on Saturday.
The message follows conflicting statements from Israeli officials regarding the number of hostages required for the truce to hold. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned earlier that the ceasefire would end if Hamas failed to return “our hostages” by Saturday.
Despite recent tensions, negotiations appear to be progressing. Egyptian sources cited by Al-Araby Al Jadeed indicated a potential breakthrough after Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad met with Hamas representatives in Cairo. The sources also reported that international organizations have been approved to deliver fuel and medical supplies to Gaza, though Israel has yet to authorize caravans and additional tents.
The ceasefire, part of a three-stage agreement reached last month, halted 15 months of fighting triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, in which terrorists killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. The deal requires Hamas to release all hostages, Israel to free Palestinian prisoners, and both sides to engage in talks for a long-term truce.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials remain divided on next steps. Netanyahu reportedly told his cabinet that discussions on the deal’s second phase are premature. Far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Orit Strock called for the re-arrest of freed Palestinian prisoners if Hamas fails to release the hostages, a proposal security officials opposed, warning it could endanger the remaining captives.
