Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he hopes to announce the release of hostages held in Gaza “in the coming days,” amid growing international pressure and renewed mediation efforts led by the United States.
In a televised statement, Netanyahu reiterated that “Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised – either the easy way or the hard way.” His comments came shortly after Hamas said it had agreed to release the hostages under a US-backed peace proposal, though the group avoided committing to disarmament and instead called for negotiations on other issues.
The development comes as indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are set to begin in Egypt on Monday.
US President Donald Trump, who is spearheading the initiative, warned Hamas not to delay the process. “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that Israel had “agreed to the initial withdrawal line” outlined in the 20-point US plan.
The proposal calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of others believed to be dead, in exchange for hundreds of detained Palestinians. The Israel Defense Forces said it had been ordered to “advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase” of the plan, stressing that troop safety remained a top priority.
Hamas has reportedly agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages and accept governance of Gaza by technocrats, but has not agreed to disarm — a key Israeli demand.
Despite cautious optimism, major obstacles persist, including Hamas’ demand for a full Israeli withdrawal and guarantees that Israel will not resume military operations once the hostages are freed. Netanyahu also faces internal political pressure, with far-right coalition partners threatening to quit if the war ends without Hamas’ total defeat.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza continued Saturday, despite Trump’s public call for Israel to “immediately stop the bombing.” Medical officials in Gaza said three strikes hit Gaza City early in the day, killing one person and injuring several others. The Hamas-run health ministry reported 66 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to over 67,000.
Families of hostages expressed cautious hope that the deal could finally bring their loved ones home. “It is a fragile situation and we don’t want to be disappointed again,” said Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod is believed to be among the remaining captives. “And yet, I feel hope that soon I will see Nimrod and can hug him again.”
Two years into the conflict, both Israelis and Palestinians appear exhausted by the war, as international momentum builds behind efforts to end the fighting — though whether this new push will finally deliver peace remains uncertain.
