TEL AVIV / GAZA – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed hope that he will be able to announce the release of hostages held in Gaza “in the coming days,” sparking cautious optimism amidst the continuation of Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 70 Palestinians on Saturday.
In a televised statement, Netanyahu reaffirmed his uncompromising stance on the military outcome: “Hamas will be disarmed and Gaza will be demilitarised — either the easy way or the hard way, but it will be achieved.” His remarks followed Hamas’s announcement that it had agreed to release captives under a U.S.-brokered peace framework, though the group notably avoided any commitment to disarmament and sought further negotiations.
Trump Pressures for Swift Resolution
U.S. President Donald Trump, the architect of the 20-point peace plan, has publicly pushed Hamas to act “quickly” to finalize a deal. “Hamas must move quickly, or else all bets will be off… Let’s get this done, FAST,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, warning that he would “not tolerate delay.”
Trump later claimed that Israel had “agreed to the initial withdrawal line,” apparently referencing troop positioning in the U.S. proposal, which envisions: an immediate end to hostilities, the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the remains of others, and the exchange of hundreds of detained Gazans.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that it had been ordered “to advance readiness for the implementation of the first phase of the Trump plan,” while stressing that the safety of its troops remained its “top priority.”
The Complexities of Indirect Talks
Indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas are scheduled to begin in Egypt on Monday, marking the most serious diplomatic push in months. Under mounting pressure, Hamas issued what observers termed a “yes, but” response—agreeing to free all remaining Israeli hostages and proposing a technocratic administration for Gaza. However, the group strategically sidestepped Israel’s central demand for complete disarmament, which remains the most contentious hurdle.
Analysts caution that significant obstacles persist despite Trump’s personal involvement. Hamas continues to insist on a full Israeli withdrawal and a guarantee that Israel will not resume the war after hostages are released—terms Israeli officials have repeatedly rejected.
Netanyahu faces intense domestic scrutiny. Critics accuse him of intentionally stalling previous negotiations to prolong the war for political survival. His ruling coalition, which includes ultranationalist ministers, has threatened to collapse the government if the conflict ends without Hamas’s total defeat. Despite this political risk, Israeli public sentiment appears to favour a deal, with recent polls showing a majority supporting an agreement to secure the hostages’ release.
For hostage families, the wait is agonizing. Vicky Cohen, whose son Nimrod is believed to be among the captives, told the BBC she woke up “with a sense of expectation” but also fear. “It is a fragile situation, and we don’t want to be disappointed again. Yet I feel hope that soon I will see Nimrod and hug him again,” she said.
Relentless Bombing Continues
While diplomatic efforts intensify, Israeli airstrikes continue to devastate Gaza. At least 70 Palestinians were killed on Saturday, even after Trump publicly urged Israel to “stop bombing” the enclave. The Israeli army warned civilians that northern Gaza, including Gaza City, remains an “active combat zone” and urged residents to evacuate south via Rashid Street. The south of the strip remains severely overwhelmed, housing hundreds of thousands of displaced people in dire humanitarian conditions.
