The Israeli government has signaled its intent to adhere to the hostage release plan agreed upon in the ceasefire with Hamas but warned that if the three expected hostages are not released by Saturday, it will resume fighting.
Thursday’s statement from the prime minister’s office put an end to the two-day confusion following Donald Trump’s declaration that Israel should demand Hamas release all 76 remaining hostages by Saturday, and if this fails, end the ceasefire.
Since Trump’s comments on Tuesday, Benjamin Netanyahu and his government had been unclear on how many hostages were expected to be released on Saturday, but spokesperson David Mencer has now confirmed that the Israeli demand was for three hostages, as outlined in the ceasefire agreement’s timeline.
“There is a framework for the release of our hostages,” Mencer said. “This framework makes it clear that three live hostages must be released by Hamas terrorists on Saturday.”
Earlier this week, Hamas had suggested that there might be a delay in the release of the next three hostages, although reports on Thursday indicated that the suggestion had been withdrawn and the agreement remained on track. Mencer stated that Israel would wait for the three released hostages to reach Israeli territory before making a judgment.
“If Hamas… violates this agreement and does not release our hostages, the government has made it clear that it has instructed our armed forces—and we have already gathered forces inside and around Gaza—that if Hamas does not return our hostages by Saturday noon, the ceasefire will end, and the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will resume intensive fighting until the final defeat of Hamas.”
