Israel and Hamas Continue Hostage Deal as Ceasefire Holds
Israel and Hamas have reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing hostage-ceasefire deal, with the next release of hostages expected to proceed on Saturday. The development follows discussions mediated by Egypt and Qatar, aimed at preventing the fragile truce from collapsing.
Hamas announced on Thursday that it would move forward with the scheduled hostage release under the terms of the agreement. “Hamas confirms its continued position to implement the agreement in accordance with what was signed,” the group stated on Telegram. This comes after a brief delay earlier in the week when Hamas accused Israel of failing to allow sufficient humanitarian aid into Gaza—a claim Israel denies.
The US Embassy in Israel has also been monitoring the situation, with officials working alongside regional partners to ensure compliance with the ceasefire terms. On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that if Hamas failed to uphold its part of the deal, “all hell will break loose,” echoing US President Donald Trump’s identical warning on Monday.
Hostage Releases and Ceasefire Conditions
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Mediators have secured commitments from both sides to continue implementing the agreement, which includes exchanging Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. According to reports, Hamas has committed to releasing three hostages on Saturday rather than nine or all remaining captives, as some Israeli officials had initially demanded.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Israeli officials remain cautious. The Prime Minister’s Office rejected reports claiming Israel had agreed to allow heavy machinery, caravans, and other construction equipment into Gaza. “No caravans or heavy machinery have been brought into the Gaza Strip, and no coordination for such entry exists,” a spokesperson said.
Escalating Tensions and International Reactions
Earlier in the week, there was uncertainty over whether the ceasefire would hold after Hamas postponed a previous hostage release, citing Israeli violations. The group’s demands included an increased flow of fuel, medical supplies, and relief aid into Gaza. Mediation efforts by Egypt and Qatar led to a resolution, with Hamas later confirming that the agreement would continue as planned.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has urged Israel to reconsider the deal, calling for Hamas to release all hostages immediately rather than in staged exchanges. While Netanyahu acknowledged Trump’s position, he stopped short of fully endorsing it, instead reiterating Israel’s position that hostages must be returned by Saturday noon, or military operations could resume.
So far, 16 out of 33 Israeli hostages scheduled for release under the deal have been freed, along with 656 Palestinian prisoners from a larger list. The hostage-prisoner exchanges have provided temporary relief from hostilities, but the long-term stability of the truce remains uncertain.
